The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has donated free agricultural inputs, including 10,000 water pumps with all accessories, 10,000 knapsack sprayers, 10,000 liters of herbicides, 10,000 liters of pesticide, and 10,000 liters of organic fertilizers, to the Jigawa State Government. This initiative aims to support agricultural transformation in the state, boost production, and achieve food and nutrition security.
Speaking at the 2025 Wheat Farmers Green Field Celebration, organized by the Jigawa State Government and the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) in Dabi village, Ringim Local Government Area, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, emphasized that these inputs would help reduce food inflation while enabling farmers to transition from subsistence farming to profitable agribusiness ventures.
Sen. Kyari highlighted that agriculture remains the backbone of Jigawa State’s economy, contributing over 60% to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing more than 90% of its population. He noted that Jigawa is recognized for its food crop production, livestock farming, and cash crop exports, particularly sesame and hibiscus flower, making it the leading producer of sesame and the largest producer of hibiscus in Nigeria.
The Minister revealed that during the 2023/2024 wheat production season, the Federal Government, through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket Programme (NAGS-AP), supported the cultivation of 40,000 hectares of wheat in Jigawa State. With contributions from the state government and other partners, an additional 15,000 hectares were cultivated, totaling over 55,000 hectares.
“In that year, the timely provision of inputs at subsidized prices, coupled with the dedication and resilience of farmers, resulted in a bumper harvest,” Kyari stated.
Building on this success, the Federal Government has increased its intervention for the current season, supporting 60,000 hectares, while the state government and other partners will contribute an additional 20,000 hectares, bringing the total to 80,000 hectares. The Minister celebrated this milestone, noting that over 160,000 farmers have benefited from subsidized agricultural inputs.
Sen. Kyari commended the collaborative efforts of the African Development Bank, led by Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the World Food Programme, other multinational organizations, and FMAN for fostering a thriving agricultural community in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for food and nutrition security.
Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting agriculture as a key driver of food security and economic growth. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for spearheading groundbreaking agricultural innovations and pledged to expand wheat production to 500,000 hectares by 2030, calling for partnerships to achieve this ambitious goal.
In his welcome address, the National Program Manager of FMAN, Dr. Aliyu Samaila, announced that FMAN, in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government, is supporting 10,000 farmers with input loans and providing training to over 50,000 farmers across six wheat-producing states. He highlighted FMAN’s establishment of 200 demonstration farms and centers of excellence to equip farmers with essential knowledge and skills for improved yields and productivity.
The event concluded with the distribution of agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers and an inspection of wheat farms in Ringim Local Government Area. Dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Directors from FMAFS, members of FMAN, representatives from the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, and other stakeholders.
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