The Jigawa State Government has trained 400 unemployed youths on hybrid date palm production and processing to boost livelihoods and tackle unemployment.
Governor Umar Namadi, speaking at the graduation ceremony on Monday at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Dutse, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Project Committee Chairman and Chief of Staff, Sen. Mustapha Makama, said the programme reflects the state government’s commitment to agriculture and youth empowerment. He disclosed that 10,000 hybrid seedlings have been secured, with free seedlings, watering materials, and mentorship provided to beneficiaries.
Makama added that more batches of the training are underway, with over 2,000 youths expected to benefit.
The NIFOR State Coordinator, Mr. Abdulhamid Hamza, explained that the hybrid seedlings can yield up to 70 kilos initially and generate as much as ₦7 million monthly if well managed. He noted that Jigawa’s soil can produce dates twice a year, unlike most countries that harvest once.
Hamza said the training covered the entire date palm value chain, from cultivation to processing, to ensure sustainability.
The Director-General of Jigawa State Institute of Research, Dr. Sulaiman Rufai, revealed that the government has allocated 1,042 hectares of land, targeting 2,084 youths for the project. He urged beneficiaries to remain committed as the government monitors their progress.
Speaking on behalf of participants, Musa Abdullahi thanked the government, noting that they were trained to process dates into juice, syrup, powder, and even coffee from the seeds.
