Jigawa State Releases ₦3.2bn for Youth Agriculture Intervention Projects

News in Brief

-Jigawa State Executive Council has approved ₦3.2 billion for agriculture and youth programmes, including water pumps for 27 local governments and rice processing tools.

-Funding is split into ₦1.575 billion for 35,000 water pumps, ₦1.649 billion for stoves and dryers, plus World Bank project facilities, aiming to transform youth into agribusiness entrepreneurs.

Jigawa State Executive Council has approved the release of over ₦3.2 billion to execute agricultural intervention projects to empower Jigawa youths.

The funding targets irrigation upgrades for dry season farming, rice processing tools, and support for World Bank projects to drive farming productivity and job creation in the state.

Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Hon. Sagir Musa, announced the decisions to journalists after a recent council meeting in Dutse.​leadership​

Irrigation and Youth Farming Push

According to the commissioner, out of the total fund, ₦1.575 billion is allocated to subsidise 30% of the costs for 35,000 petrol-powered water pumps. These pumps are expected to reach farmers in all 27 local government areas, strengthening dry-season irrigation and encouraging youth to treat agriculture as a viable business. 

The interventions align with ongoing state efforts to cut post-harvest losses and expand food production amid Nigeria's food security challenges.

Rice Processing Empowerment

Hon Sagir also revealed that another ₦1.649 billion from the fund will be used to procure 52 rice parboiling stoves, 13 solar-powered dryers and rice processors for the youth. Distribution aims to streamline the agricultural value chain, spark jobs, and ease poverty in rural communities. 

The council also greenlit ₦240.6 million for office facilities under the World Bank-backed Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project. 

The commissioner noted that the approvals and related programs are part of Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda and agricultural mechanisation policy. This also builds on past approvals for intervention projects worth ₦4 billion in October, which provided items such as rice mills and extension worker motorcycles.