The Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, on Thursday, revealed plans to produce two million tonnes of wheat for export and agricultural self-sufficiency through the National Wheat Development Programme and the state’s wheat programme.
He asserted that Nigeria possessed the capacity to export wheat under the initiative which was aimed at attaining self-reliance.
Namadi, who disclosed this to journalists after closed-door talks with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, said the President endorsed the state’s initiative and guaranteed the Federal Government’s backing to enable the forecasts to materialise.
The FG initiated the dry season programme in Jigawa State in November 2023 to support wheat cultivation nationwide. Jigawa state would house 40,000 of the 100,000 hectares allocated for the programme. Staff Ma
Namadi said President Tinubu assured him of his readiness to provide his government with every assistance it needs to accomplish its objectives.
“(He said that) we should tell him what we require and he is prepared to assist us,” Namadi explained.
When asked about Jigawa State’s contributions to the national wheat production, he responded, “We are number one in wheat in Nigeria. We have already made a difference because we are number one. Then today, like I told you, out of 100,000 hectares for Nigeria, Jigawa State alone is given 40,000 hectares and that shows that we are making a difference.”
Niger is Nigeria’s largest state in land mass, stretching over 76,000 Km2. According to reports, much of its arable, ungoverned spaces, have become breeding grounds for terrorist activities in recent years.
But Bago, who is only seven months in office, told State House correspondents that “a lot is being done” to ensure the security of farmers as they cultivate their lands, saying, “They are already back to the farms.”
“In Mr President’s New Year’s speech, you will have heard the emphasis on agriculture and the 500,000 hectares the government plans to farm in 2024.
“Niger State has provided itself as a pilot state for that project. We are also ambitious to match the federal government 500 for 500.”
Punch/ Naomi Akinkunle
