FG Distributes 49.35 Tonnes Of Certified Seeds To 4,935 Jigawa Farmers

The Federal Government has distributed 49.35 metric tonnes of certified seeds to 4,935 smallholder farmers in Jigawa State to help them recover losses suffered as a result of prolonged dry spells at the beginning of the rainy season.

The intervention, under the Seeds for Renewed Hope Programme, covers 32 metric tonnes of certified cowpea seeds, nine metric tonnes of groundnut seeds and 8.35 metric tonnes of sesame seeds.

Speaking at the flag-off of the programme in Shuwarin, Jigawa State, on Thursday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the intervention was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support farmers affected by adverse weather conditions.

Kyari said many farmers had already planted when the rains stopped, resulting in crop losses and putting their investments in seeds, fertiliser and labour at risk.

He said the government decided to intervene with improved, short-duration varieties that could still mature within the remaining rainy season.

According to him, the intervention is aimed at helping farmers recover part of the time and resources lost to the dry spell while sustaining agricultural production and strengthening food security.

The minister recalled that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier warned of dry spells of up to 21 days across parts of northern Nigeria between June and August.

He commended the Jigawa State Government for its investments in irrigation, mechanisation, improved inputs and extension services, describing agriculture as a major pillar of the state’s economy.

Kyari urged beneficiaries to use the seeds strictly for farming and warned them against selling the inputs.

“This seed is for the field. It is not for the market. It is the harvest that is for the market,” he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Aminu Usman, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, saying it would help farmers who suffered losses during the early part of the rainy season.

He assured affected farmers of the state government’s continued support and urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the seeds.

“Do not lose hope. You are not alone. Jigawa State Government is with you,” the deputy governor told the farmers.

The Director-General of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Fatuhu Muhammad, said the intervention demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s seed system and improving food and nutrition security.

He said the council would continue to ensure that farmers received quality seeds through certification, laboratory testing, variety registration and regulatory enforcement.

The programme, organised by the National Agricultural Seeds Council in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government, is expected to provide farmers with another opportunity to produce cowpea, groundnut and sesame within the remaining planting window.

The Federal Government said the success of the intervention would ultimately be measured by the ability of affected farmers to return to their fields and achieve a harvest despite the setbacks caused by the dry spell.