Jigawa State Government has released over N150 million as counterpart funding to the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) to promote modern farming practices and strengthen agricultural extension services across the state.
This was disclosed by Dr. Abdulhamid Gambo, Deputy Country Director of SAA, during a two-day media field visit to farming communities in Taura, Dutse, and Birnin Kudu Local Government Areas.
Dr. Gambo said the initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the state government and SAA to scale up agricultural innovations and improve farmers’ productivity.
‘Recently, the state paid $100,000 as counterpart funding to expand our programmes. This year alone, Sasakawa is targeting 9,000 direct beneficiaries across 34 communities in Jigawa,’ he stated.
According to him, SAA’s mission is to work closely with farmers to strengthen the entire agricultural value chain from production and nutrition to processing, value addition, and marketing.
He commended Governor Umar Namadi for his administration’s consistent investment in agriculture and unwavering support for smallholder farmers, describing Jigawa as a model for agricultural transformation in Nigeria.
‘We are proud to partner with Jigawa and its hardworking farmers. Many have diversified their income through agribusiness ventures, thanks to improved yields and training support,’ Dr. Gambo said.
He noted that SAA’s interventions have enhanced smallholder farmers’ livelihoods through access to improved seeds, fertilisers, and capacity-building programmes aimed at boosting productivity and household income.
During the field visit, several beneficiaries shared testimonies of how SAA’s support has transformed their farming experiences.
Buhari Rabiu, a rice farmer from Chadan community in Birnin Kudu, said:
‘Sasakawa taught us modern rice planting techniques that are more productive and less labor-intensive. Before, I harvested six bags of rice, but now I get eleven. I’ll never go back to the old method.’
Similarly, Safiyanu Ahmadu from Baranda, Dutse Local Government, said the programme has encouraged group savings and cooperative farming, which has strengthened community resilience.
He, however, appealed for additional support in providing rice and groundnut processing machines to further ease production and add value to their farm produce.