The Jigawa state government says it has enrolled 100,000 farmers into a digital platform to foster smart agriculture in the state.
The farmers had been enrolled into the Digital Wallet, GIS-Based Farm Mapping and the AI-Driven Pest Advisory System.
The Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports, Mr Sagir Musa said this in Dutse while presenting the scorecard of Gov. Umar Namadi administration in the last two years.
He said the state government targeted enrollment of 100,000 farmers by 2025 as against 20,000 in 2023.
Musa said the administration recorded about 75 per cent success in fostering digital agriculture, to fasttrack sustainable development in the sector.
The commissioner said the government distributed fertilisers, seeds and inputs to 85,000 farmers, to encourage crop production in the state.
“On improved seed distribution, we met a baseline of 500 in 2023 and we set a target of 1,200 in 2025 and achieved 950, meaning we achieved about 79 per cent success in this area.
“The administration recorded crop yields increase with about 22 per cent despite a target of 30 per cent, with a baseline of 10 per cent. This is due to the impact of drought.
“The key programme responsible for the achievement is the Wheat and Rice Revolution Initiative, Crop Cluster Farm Scheme, and Fadama III additional financing,” he said.
Musa said the state also recorded a significant feat on AI adaptation in cattle breeding with coverage of 12,500 out of the 15,000 target.
On animal husbandry, Musa said that about 4,200 out of the targeted 5,000 farmers had been exposed to modern poultry farm skills, while milk production increased to 100,000 as against 80,000 litres per day.
The feat, he said, was sequel to the establishment of diary hubs, cattle breeding and genetic improvement scheme, backyard poultry empowerment and the pastoral resettlement programme.
Similarly, the Namadi administration had opened up 3,800 hectres for irrigation activities as against 1,200 in 2023.
“As far as the rural roads construction is concerned, the state achieved about 80 per cent with 120 against the target of 150, and a baseline of 50 in 2023.”
According to Musa, the Hadjia River Valley is being expanded with provision of solar powered water pumps, access roads and agricultural marketing projects.
He said the administration had inoculated 450,000 out of the targeted 500,000 animals, completed upgrade of 10 veterinary clinics, and adopted practical measures to address delays in procurement, to enhance surveillance during outbreaks.
“We achieved 85 out of the 95 per cent of the targeted animals through a mass livestock vaccination campaign.
“The government also introduced mobile veterinary clinics and a zoonosis control programme, to enhance quality animal healthcare services at the grassroots,” Musa said.
He said the administration equally distributed 150 tractors to the farmers, and trained technicians, to encourage farm mechanisation and boost productivity.
While 3,800 fish farmers were supported to produce over 11,000 tonnes of fish in the last two years.
“The key programmes include the Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Scheme, Typha Grass Clearance and Utilisation, Fish Processing and Cold Chain Development.
“The administration achieved 88 per cent success with the provision of fertiliser subsidy to 220,000 beneficiaries, against the target of 250,000 and a baseline of 100,000 in 2023.
“About 1,300 agro-dealers were trained as against the target of 1,500, and a baseline of 500 in 2023, this recorded 87 per cent achievement,” the commissioner said.
He said the state recorded rapid agricultural transformation via the establishment of six seed multiplication farms, introduction of the E-voucher input distribution system, and upgrade of the fertiliser blending plant.
In Bauchi State, the state government has supported 50,000 farmers for dry season activities under its Bauchi Agricultural Renewal Initiative (BARI) in the last one year.
The Director Agriculture, Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mr Ahmed Audu said the benefitting farmers received improved seeds, fertilizers, among others.
He said the farmers were also exposed to climate-smart agriculture and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), to encourage productivity.
“Gov. Bala Mohammed administration has reclaimed and cultivated 15,000 hectares of arable land with mechanised support, resulting in a 38 per cent increase in maize and rice yields compared to 2024.
“Five large-scale irrigation projects have been commissioned along the Jama’are and Komadugu River Basin, enhancing dry season farming and ensuring all-year-round food production,” he said.
To strengthen agro-processing and preservation, Audu said the state has constructed three modern agro-processing centers in Zaki, Dass and Ganjuwa, while 10 silos had been upgraded to reduce post-harvest losses.
Also, an official of the Ministry of Works and Housing, Hamisu Ahmed said the Bala Mohammed’s administration had constructed over 780 kilometers of roads, to open up farming communities to markets and improved social services.
“Ten new bridges were built in flood prone areas, including the Gadau Bridge, restoring critical connectivity and boosting local trade,” Ahmed said.
According to Livinos Boi, an agricultural economist, Bauchi State is gradually reclaiming its agricultural potential under the Mohammed’s leadership.
“Farmers are getting more support now more than the previous administrations,” he said.
However, a social activist, Mrs Fatima Danladi argued that dividends of democracy were not being evenly distributed in the state.
According to Danladi, many rural farmers still lack access to the government’s interventions, as the system is weighed down by bureaucracy and personal interests.
On infrastructure, a civil engineer, Mr Ibrahim Musa described infrastructural development as “a critical step in modernising Bauchi State economy.
“The volume of construction activity is unprecedented in the recent history Bauchi State.
“Yet, while the roads are welcome, we must ask if due process was followed in awarding the contracts.
“We need accountability to ensure long-term value,” he said.
NAN
