Jigawa Approves N7bn for Dry Season Rice Farming Programme
The Jigawa State Government has approved N7 billion to settle agro-input suppliers and service providers as part of the 2025 Dry Season Rice Cultivation Programme.
Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture, Sagir Musa, disclosed this after Tuesday’s State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Dutse.
He explained that the funding will complement the N3.26 billion already repaid by agro-farmers from the last farming cycle, bringing the total financial commitment to over N10.3 billion.
“In a bold move to strengthen food security, empower rural farmers, and ensure a bumper harvest, the council has approved the sum, in addition to the sum of N3,268,336,287.00, redeemed by the agro-farmers,” Musa stated.
The commissioner said the state is committed to expanding dry-season rice farming by ensuring timely access to high-quality seeds, fertilisers, and chemicals for thousands of farmers.
In addition, N365.7 million has been earmarked for constructing 4,600 tube wells in farming communities to boost irrigation.
The initiative, launched in April 2025 in Jura village, Auyo LGA, is expected to transform Jigawa into a leading hub for rice production, targeting 3.6 million metric tonnes annually across 1.2 million hectares of land.
So far, 58,500 farmers across 27 local councils are participating, with support packages including improved seedlings, fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, and 20,000 solar- and gasoline-powered pumps. Farmers are also offered soft loans with repayment subsidies ranging from 10% to 30%.
The government has warned against the diversion of subsidised inputs, insisting that violators will face stiff penalties.
