Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, as part of his administration’s efforts toward agricultural advancement, led a state delegation to establish a collaborative partnership with the Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice) in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, on Thursday.
The collaboration, which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is aimed at transforming rice production in Jigawa State and enhancing Nigeria’s food security.
This was contained in a statement by Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Dutse.
According to the statement, the MoU, completed during an important meeting in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, on Thursday, was signed by Saifullahi Umar, Director-General of the Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), and Baboucarr Manneh, Director-General of AfricaRice, and lays the foundation for collaboration on key aspects of rice production.
In his remarks, Governor Namadi articulated his vision for a modern and commercially viable rice sector in Jigawa.
“This collaboration with AfricaRice is a testament to our commitment to agricultural renewal and economic prosperity. We are determined to empower our farmers with the resources and knowledge required to unlock Jigawa’s potential as a leading rice hub.”
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Key points of the MoU among others are varietal improvement and seed systems as joint efforts to develop and scale high-yield, climate-resilient rice varieties tailored for the diverse ecologies of Jigawa. Sustainable Production Technologies: Implementation of climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance productivity while conserving vital resources.
Manneh reiterated AfricaRice’s dedication to supporting African agricultural initiatives. “We are excited to partner with Jigawa State and leverage our expertise to drive innovations that enhance local rice production,” he said.
The collaboration is set to commence with immediate planning sessions aimed at defining specific projects and initiating adaptive trials across various ecological zones within the State.
