In one of the largest agricultural interventions in Jigawa State’s history, Governor Umar Namadi has flagged off the 2026 Wet Season Agricultural Support Programme, unveiling a comprehensive package that includes the distribution of 6,000 solar-powered irrigation pumps, fertilisers for 90,000 farmers and 1,185 motorcycles for agricultural extension workers.

The intervention, launched at the Dutse Township Stadium on Saturday, forms part of the administration’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda aimed at boosting food security, expanding irrigation farming, improving agricultural productivity and strengthening rural livelihoods through climate-smart technologies and modern farming practices.

Speaking at the event, Namadi described agriculture as the backbone of Jigawa’s economy, saying his administration remained committed to transforming the sector from subsistence to commercial production through sustained investment in mechanisation, irrigation, extension services and agricultural financing.

“Over the last three years, we have consistently supported farmers through wet and dry season farming programmes, input support, irrigation, mechanisation, extension services and agricultural financing. We are equally conscious of the challenges confronting our farmers, particularly access to quality inputs, rising energy costs and other production expenses,” he said.

The governor said the distribution of 6,000 solar-powered irrigation pumps would significantly expand irrigation farming across the state, reduce dependence on rainfall and encourage year-round agricultural production.

He disclosed that 90,000 farmers would benefit from fertiliser support during the 2026 wet farming season, explaining that 50,000 farmers would receive inputs directly under the state government’s agricultural support programme, while another 40,000 would benefit through a partnership involving the Bank of Agriculture and StarAgri under the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund.

To strengthen extension services, Namadi also inaugurated the distribution of 1,185 motorcycles to J-AGRO extension agents, noting that the initiative would improve their mobility and ensure timely delivery of technical advisory services and climate-smart farming practices to farmers across the state.

According to him, bringing extension workers closer to farming communities would accelerate the adoption of improved technologies, boost productivity and enhance resilience against climate-related challenges.

The governor said the latest intervention builds on the achievements already recorded under his administration’s agricultural transformation programme.

“So far, we have supported more than 250,000 farmers through input distribution, mechanisation, irrigation, extension services and targeted interventions for women and youth engaged in agribusiness,” he stated.

He added that the administration had recruited 1,700 extension agents, procured 450 tractors and 70 combine harvesters alongside other agricultural equipment, established 20 modern greenhouses, developed four Climate-Smart Agriculture Centres, rehabilitated the Kuda and Dembo dams, and commenced the development of 200 integrated five-in-one rice processing clusters across the state’s three senatorial districts.

“These interventions are reducing drudgery, increasing productivity, expanding irrigation, promoting value addition and making agriculture more attractive to young people and women,” he said.

Reaffirming his administration’s long-term vision, Namadi said the government remained focused on positioning Jigawa as Nigeria’s leading agricultural hub.

“As our people rightly say, Noma Tushen Arziki—farming is the foundation of prosperity. This belief continues to guide our vision of making Jigawa a leading food basket, a centre for mechanisation and irrigation, and a hub for seed production, agro-processing, climate-smart agriculture and agribusiness investment,” he said.

He urged beneficiaries to utilise the support effectively, stressing that the programme’s success would be measured by improved harvests, increased farmer incomes, expanded irrigation farming and enhanced food security.

“Our conviction remains that when we strengthen the farmer, we strengthen the future of Jigawa State,” the governor added.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), Dr. Saifullahi Umar, said the 2026 Wet Season Agricultural Support Programme integrates subsidised farm inputs, irrigation support, extension services, agricultural financing and digital farmer management into a single coordinated intervention.

He explained that all beneficiaries were selected through the state’s newly established Farmer Registry, where farmers undergo biometric registration and verification before receiving electronic allocations and SMS notifications, a system designed to eliminate middlemen, improve transparency and ensure support reaches genuine farmers.

Umar added that through partnerships with the Bank of Agriculture and StarAgri, eligible farmers would also have access to affordable agricultural financing with flexible repayment arrangements linked to post-harvest grain delivery, thereby easing access to credit and boosting agricultural production. (AriseNews TV)

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