Group urges Jigawa govt to distribute agricultural equipment without delay

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Jigawa State has urged the state government to immediately distribute procured agricultural equipment and extension motorcycles to farmers and agricultural personnel, saying the delay is preventing the investments from delivering their intended benefits.

In a statement signed by its co-chair and non-state actors representative, Isah Mustapha, the organisation commended the Jigawa State government for its sustained commitment to agricultural development through increased funding, institutional reforms and strategic investments aimed at improving food security and farmers’ livelihoods.

According to the statement, the government has increased budgetary allocation to agriculture from less than five per cent to between 10 and 12 per cent of the state budget, while also establishing an additional ministry and agency to strengthen agricultural and livestock development.

The OGP further applauded the large-scale procurement of agricultural machinery and the creation of mechanisation centres across the state’s 30 constituencies, describing the initiative as a significant milestone in modernising farming practices.

Despite these achievements, the organisation expressed concern that the equipment has remained undistributed, leaving many of the assets exposed to harsh weather conditions while farmers continue to struggle with rising production costs and limited access to mechanised services.

The group noted that with more than 90 per cent of Jigawa’s population relying on agriculture either directly or indirectly, timely deployment of the equipment would improve productivity, lower operational costs and strengthen food production across the state.

The statement also praised the recruitment of over 900 agricultural extension workers under the J-AGROG programme but lamented that motorcycles procured to support their field operations have reportedly remained in storage for nearly a year.

According to OGP, the continued delay could reduce the effectiveness of extension services and increase maintenance costs if the motorcycles deteriorate before they are put into use.

The organisation, therefore, called on the state government to expedite the distribution of both the agricultural equipment and the motorcycles, stressing that prompt action would ensure public investments translate into tangible benefits for farming communities and support the state’s broader goals of economic growth and sustainable agricultural development.