From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Jigawa State Government is engaging in a sustained collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, as part of Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s commitment to transforming agriculture in the state.
This was revealed when a high-level delegation from the institute, led by the deputy director-general of IITA, Mr. Abdoulaye Tahirou, who represented the director-general, paid a courtesy visit to the Government House in Dutse.
In a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Hamisu Mohammed Gumel said, the delegation expressed deep appreciation to the Jigawa State Government for the warm reception accorded to the delegation. His tone was appreciative but firm, underscoring a sense of shared purpose.
Mr. Tahirou revealed that, since their arrival in the state, the delegation had held an intensive working session with Jigawa State officials, resulting in a clear, concise, and implementable agricultural transformation plan tailored to the state’s needs.
“We are fully ready, as technical partners, to work shoulder by shoulder with His Excellency and the people of Jigawa State to implement this plan,” he said.
He noted that the team included experts in crop breeding, nutrition, soil science, seed systems, and essential crops grown in the state.
He also formally requested the regularisation of land that IITA has been using in Jigawa State for research activities for nearly 25 years, stressing that formalising the arrangement would further strengthen the partnership.
Responding, Governor Malam Umar Namadi welcomed the delegation, describing the visit as timely and strategic, especially following the state government’s visit to IITA headquarters recently.
The Governor recalled his impression of IITA’s infrastructure and human capacity, describing the institute as a centre with the expertise capable of transforming agriculture not just in Jigawa State, but across Nigeria.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and our small holder farmers are very dear to us. To truly empower them, we must combine policy direction with expert technical support, and that is why this partnership with IITA is very important to us.”
He emphasized that Jigawa State has repositioned farming as a business, with the aim of improving yields while reducing production costs, adding that expert guidance remains central to achieving this goal.
The Governor assured the delegation of the state’s readiness to implement the agreed work plan and sustain the collaboration, which he described as a win-win collaboration that would directly benefit farmers and strengthen food security.
He then invited IITA experts to engage with the state’s research institutions, saying that such collaboration would allow for deepened innovation and capacity building within the sector.
