The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), has trained 1,016 extension agents and farmer cluster leaders in Jigawa towards ensuring bumper harvest in wheat production.
NIRSAL’s Managing Director, Mr Abbas Umar, represented by Mr Sulaiman Ibrahim, made this known when he briefed newsmen in Dutse on Tuesday.
The Federal Government in Nov. 2023, inaugurated the National Wheat Cultivation scheme in Auyo Local Government Area of the state.
The scheme targets 1,250,000 tonnes of wheat under the NAGS-AP to be cultivated in 100,000 hectares this dry season, 40,000 of which is in Jigawa.
Umar said that the training was to support the food security agenda of the federal government.
”NIRSAL is bringing its expertise to bear on Nigeria’s pursuit of a bumper wheat harvest.
“We will train extension agents and farmers under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) Jigawa Wheat Cluster Project.
“A total of 355 extension agents and 706 farmer cluster leaders from Kiyawa, Birnin Kudu, Ringim, Hadejia, and Kazaure took part in the first phase of the training sessions.
“The trainings were held at the four out of the five emirates of the state,” the managing director said.
He explained that beneficiaries of the training would transmit the knowledge and training materials to members of their respective clusters.
The managing director said NIRSAL was established to make agriculture a less risky business and facilitate commercial financing for agribusiness in Nigeria.
He said that the agency had so far developed several models for de-risking primary production, including “the upstream segment of the agricultural value chain.”
“The Federal Government has done precisely what it should, it has communicated its vision for food security in Nigeria, provided leadership, and is committing resources to back its vision.
“On our part, we are showing our readiness to support Jigawa and all other states to walk the talk of the government.
“We’re contributing our expertise by preparing these extension agents and farmers to make success out of the collective endeavour for Jigawa and Nigeria’s sakes,” Umar said.
