Jigawa partners StarAgri to support 20,000 rice farmers, Bauchi delegation studies MASAKI programme

Politics

DUTSE, Nigeria — Umar Namadi has announced a major partnership between the Jigawa State Government and StarAgri West Africa Limited to support 20,000 rice farmers participating in dry season farming across the state.

Governor Namadi said the agreement represents another important step by his administration to strengthen agriculture and reduce the burden facing farmers due to rising production costs.

According to the governor, agriculture remains the main source of livelihood for thousands of families in Jigawa, but increasing costs of farm inputs, fuel and irrigation have continued to make farming difficult for ordinary farmers.

He noted that many farmers are eager to return to their farms, but economic challenges have made the process increasingly difficult, adding that the situation informed the partnership with StarAgri West Africa Limited.

Under the agreement, the Jigawa State Government will provide a 30 percent subsidy on agricultural inputs for participating farmers. The administration also approved the distribution of 6,000 solar-powered water pumps under a flexible repayment arrangement spread across two years.

Governor Namadi said the intervention is expected to significantly improve dry season farming activities and boost food production in the state.

The governor commended Sandy Eyal and the management of StarAgri West Africa Limited for partnering with the state and supporting local farmers.

He also praised the Ministry of Agriculture, JASCO and members of the agricultural technical committee for their efforts in facilitating the agreement.

“At the end of the day, what matters most is whether the ordinary farmer feels the impact. That is the standard we continue to hold ourselves to,” the governor stated.

In another development, Governor Namadi received a delegation from Bauchi State led by the Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Sani Muhammad Dambam, who visited Jigawa to understudy the state’s MASAKI nutrition programme and other community-based healthcare interventions.

The governor said he was encouraged by the delegation’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in Bauchi State, noting that the team had toured several programme sites and interacted directly with technical staff and frontline health workers.

Governor Namadi stressed that the fight against malnutrition remains a major priority for his administration, noting that poor nutrition continues to affect children and vulnerable families across communities.

He explained that the MASAKI programme, alongside initiatives such as the Tom Brown programme, was introduced to improve child nutrition while also empowering women economically.

According to him, women participating in the Tom Brown initiative are trained, equipped and linked to primary healthcare centres, enabling them to earn sustainable incomes while supporting nutrition efforts at the grassroots.

Governor Namadi appreciated the Bauchi State Government for considering Jigawa worthy of the study visit and commended health workers, technical teams and community volunteers for their continued dedication to improving healthcare delivery across communities.