Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has urged researchers to prioritise practical studies to address climate challenges, boost crop production and enhance food security.
Namadi stated this on Monday at the 11th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Crop Science Society of Nigeria (CSSN), hosted by the Federal University Dutse (FUD).
The theme of the conference was “Advancing Sustainable Crop Production and Climate-Smart Technology for Food Security and Economic Growth.”
Namadi urged researchers to focus on developing drought-tolerant crop varieties, restoring soil health, improving access to certified seeds, reducing post-harvest losses and investigating why farmers fail to adopt proven technologies.
He stressed the need for quality research on crops such as sorghum, millet, cowpea, maize, wheat and rice to help farmers cope with shorter, hotter and less predictable growing seasons.
The governor underscored the importance of soil mapping, site-specific fertiliser recommendations and biological solutions to declining soil fertility.
Namadi urged researchers to develop affordable preservation and processing technologies, as well as better systems for delivering quality seeds to farmers.
He also urged them to examine ways to build farmers’ confidence in new technologies and encourage young people to take up agribusiness.
“A farmer with a hoe and old seed cannot outproduce climate change,” he said.
Namadi identified leadership, research and investment as the three pillars of agricultural transformation, adding that farmers needed access to irrigation, mechanisation, finance and markets.
He said the Jigawa Agricultural Policy 2024–2030 prioritised climate-smart production, irrigation, mechanisation, improved seed systems, value addition and market access.
The governor said the state government had deployed 450 tractors and 70 combine harvesters and established 60 mechanisation centres through its farm mechanisation company.
According to Namadi, the state is working with the Federal Government to develop 18,000 hectares of land and deploy 600 solar-powered water pumps in the Hadejia Valley for upland irrigation.
He added that the state government had targeted 90,000 farmers for fertiliser distribution during the 2026 wet season.
Namadi said the government had also deployed 1,700 extension agents and 1,185 motorcycles to enhance farmer support services.
“The Jigawa wheat value-chain research supported 10 PhD and master’s degree researchers, and 80 academics are pursuing postgraduate studies abroad.
“We are also developing 200 integrated rice-processing clusters and supporting investment in rice, sesame, hibiscus and wheat processing,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ahmad Gumel, said climate change was disrupting rainfall patterns, increasing temperatures and threatening agricultural productivity.
“Climate-smart agriculture is not merely an option; it is an imperative for food security, economic growth and national stability,” he said.
He called for collaboration among universities, government, research institutes, farmers and the private sector to translate research findings into practical solutions.
The President of CSSN, Prof. Aminu Ahmad, said climate variability, declining soil fertility, pests and diseases, and rising production costs remained major challenges to crop production.
Ahmad urged members of the association to develop improved crop varieties and efficient soil and water management technologies to increase yields.
He said the conference provided a platform for exchanging ideas and developing recommendations for sustainable crop production.
