The Jigawa State Government has approved the sum of N615 million for a new agricultural initiative aimed at empowering young people through date palm production.
Speaking to journalists after the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information, Youth, and Sports, Sagir Musa, said the initiative is designed to engage no fewer than 5,000 youths across the state.
He explained that the participants will undergo intensive training on date palm cultivation.
According to Musa, the programme will offer both direct and indirect employment opportunities and is part of Governor Umar Namadi’s administration’s broader vision to reposition Jigawa as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in the area of date palm farming.
“This is part of Gov. Umar Namadi’s aministration’s commitment, to reposition Jigawa, as a key player in agriculture, especially in date production and to enhance its contribution to Nigeria’s economy,” the commissioner said
Site selection and strategic goals
The Commissioner revealed that a Date Palm Plantation Committee, established by the state government, has identified six suitable locations across the state for the cultivation sites.
These locations were selected based on land availability and suitability for date palm propagation.
He added that, beyond employment creation, the initiative is also part of a climate resilience strategy.
“It has outlined significant strides made in identifying and reclaiming farmlands that were previously illegally allocated but left undeveloped or misused.
“This initiative is part of the administration’s broader strategy, to ensure that all available agricultural resources are fully utilised to support food security, create employment and promote sustainable economic growth across the state.”
It is expected to help mitigate climate change, halt desert encroachment, and serve as a tool for poverty alleviation in rural communities.
Reclaiming misallocated farmlands
In a related development, Musa announced that the council received an interim report from the Committee on the Retrieval of Farmland Allocations, which is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim.
The report outlines progress made in reclaiming government-owned lands that were illegally allocated or left undeveloped.
Musa said this effort is part of the administration’s push to ensure that all land resources are properly utilized to support food production, economic growth, and job creation.
“It will also safeguard the integrity of all grazing reserves and protect the gazetted forest reserves across the state and beyond,” Musa said.
The initiatives are seen as part of a wider strategy to improve food security, strengthen the state’s economy, and enhance environmental sustainability.
