Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar A. Namadi, on Thursday restated his administration’s commitment to achieving 500,000 hectares of rice cultivation by 2030.
Speaking in Dutse after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of investors for a 100,000-hectare Alfalfa Production Project, Governor Namadi described agriculture as the economic backbone of the state, supporting about 90% of the population and contributing over half of its GDP.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs, Zainab Rabo, quoted the governor as saying: “We are number one in wheat production, and this year alone we cultivated 315,000 hectares of rice. Our plan to reach 500,000 hectares by 2030 is fully on track.”
He reaffirmed Jigawa’s commitment to agricultural and livestock development, noting the creation of a new Ministry for Livestock and highlighting the Maigatari market as the largest livestock market in Africa.
Referencing the success of Matura Farm’s alfalfa pilot project, Governor Namadi said its global-quality output reinforced the viability of the new partnership. He assured investors of the state’s readiness to allocate the full 100,000 hectares required for the project.
He also emphasized Jigawa’s peaceful environment and supportive investment policies as key drivers attracting major agricultural ventures.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda on food security and expanded agricultural production.
Commissioner for Livestock Development, Professor Salim Mohammed, described alfalfa as a high-value forage crop capable of transforming livestock productivity, creating large-scale jobs, and boosting export revenue.
