A Kano-based agri-business company, Silvex International has said that it is investing in farm estates in Jigawa and Nasarawa states in order to bridge the gaps in food production efficiency amidst climate change challenges.
The Managing Director of the company, Abubakar Adam was speaking in Kano on Monday at a symposium organised by Bayero University Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) in partnership with his company and British government supported LINKS program.
The farm estates, according to him is targeting 5,000 hectares of farmland in Jigawa and 15,000 in Nasarawa.
“Currently in Jigawa, we are targeting 5,000 hectares, 3,000 has already been identified. In Nasarawa state, we are targeting 15,000 hectares with our partners and the state government and currently there is 5,000 on ground that we are starting.
“Our objective is to create a topnotch quality seeds, and that cannot be achieved in the farmers’ farmers because they are small in size and the efficacy related to the seeds procedures.
“We went to create a new generation farmers as today many youths believe that farming is not a viable venture for them, but we are now changing the narrative by engaging in various agric value chains,” the chairman added.
Adam explained that the farm estate project is the only game changer in the move to ensuring food security amidst current global challenges.
Earlier speaking virtually at the symposium, the Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Dr. Mansur Matazu attributed the environmental challenges of flood, changes in onset and cessation of rain, drought are all by-products of climate change.
Speaking on the topic: “The 2021 growing season: Focus, realities and the role of NIMET, the DG said most states in the country have experienced below normal rainfall this year, which he said has already been predicted by his agency for farmers to take appropriate measures.
The symposium according the CDA Director, Professor Jibrin Muhammad was organised to review climate change issues at they affect northern Nigeria with a view to presenting them to policymakers for appropriate actions to be taken.
