News in brief:
– Jigawa State partners with Saudi Arabia to improve date palm farming, leveraging expertise and technology transfer.
– The initiative aims to boost agriculture, create jobs, and drive economic growth in Jigawa through agribusiness.
Governor Umar Namadi welcomed a Saudi Arabian date palm production delegation at the Government House, Dutse, to discuss an agricultural collaboration. The visiting group was led by Netay Agro-Tech, a Nigeria-based agricultural business and consulting agency. Namadi expressed excitement about the partnership, reaffirming Jigawa’s commitment to providing the necessary support and resources to ensure its success.
“We are excited about this partnership and are committed to providing the necessary support to make it a success. This initiative is expected to boost agricultural productivity and economic growth in the region,” the governor stated.
Economic diversification and job creation
Umar Namadi highlighted that the collaboration aligns with Jigawa’s goal of diversifying its economy and reducing dependence on federal allocations. By leveraging Saudi Arabia’s expertise in date palm farming, the state aims to increase agricultural output and create employment opportunities for its people.
“Date palm cultivation is a significant aspect of Saudi Arabia’s agricultural sector, and the country is among the top three date-producing nations globally. We believe this partnership will position Jigawa as a leading producer in Nigeria,” he added.
Saudi Arabia’s commitment to knowledge transfer
Speaking on behalf of the Saudi team, Mr Abdul’aziz Abdurrahman Al-Awf reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative, stating that their visit aimed to strengthen discussions on date palm production in Jigawa.
“We believe that by sharing our expertise and technology, we can help Jigawa State achieve its agricultural goals,” Al-Awf said. He stressed the importance of knowledge transfer, modern techniques, and best agricultural practices to enhance date palm farming in the state.
The proposed initiative is expected to have a significant economic impact by improving agricultural productivity, reducing poverty, and raising living standards. Increased date palm production could open new revenue streams for farmers and attract investment into the state’s agribusiness sector.
