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Jigawa State is an Instrument for Nigeria’s Quest to Attain Food Security
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that Jigawa State is crucial in Nigeria’s quest to attain food security under President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
Idris made the remarks in Dutse, Jigawa State, on Thursday when he led a delegation from the Presidency and heads of agencies under his ministry on a courtesy visit to Governor Umar Namadi at the Government House.
“Jigawa is also central to the Federal Government’s food security initiative. As you may be aware, Food Security is one of the eight pivotal pillars of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. It was here in Jigawa, on November 25, 2023, that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security flagged off the ongoing dry-season farming in Nigeria under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket program, financed by the African Development Bank,” he said.
In a statement signed by Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister expressed delight that the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket program, which focus on five key staple commodities: rice, maize, wheat, sorghum, and soybeans, is already yielding transformational results, impacting the availability and affordability of food in the country.
“I am aware that harvesting is already going on, which means that the products are already making their way to the market. This is a very positive narrative that Jigawa has been instrumental in achieving for the country. We look forward to the State playing even more significant roles in attaining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food sufficiency and security agenda,” he said.
The Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Umar Namadi, in his response, commended the minister for having brought the entire Federal Communication structure to Jigawa State.
The governor announced that the state has made significant progress in supporting the president’s food security agenda, which has manifested in positioning Jigawa as the leading producer of wheat, hibiscus, sesame, and gum Arabic in the country while it’s also competing for the top spot in rice production.
He assured that self-sufficiency in wheat production would be achieved in the next few years, noting that presently, 70 per cent of Nigeria’s non-oil exports are made up of hibiscus and sesame, which are products of Jigawa state.
