Dutse, Nov.14, 2025
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa state has established a new partnership with Africa Rice Centre(Africarice), a company, to boost rice production and advance agriculture in Jigawa state.
A statement signed by Mr Hamisu Gumel, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary made this known on Friday.
It said that the Governor led a delegation to foster the collaboration in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, on Thursday, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the state and the centre.
The MoU according to the statement, is aimed at transforming rice production in Jigawa State and enhancing Nigeria’s food security.
It added that Dr Saifullahi Umar, Director General of the Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA) and Dr Baboucarr Manneh, the Director General of AfricaRice.
It stressed that the MoU, laid a foundation for collaboration on important components in rice production.
In his remarks during the sealing of the agreement, the report said, Governor Namadi emphasized his administration’s 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,” the governor said.
The statement however, highlighted the key points of the MoU which included developing and scale up high-yield, climate-resilient rice varieties, tailored for the diverse ecologies of Jigawa.
It will also ensure sstainable Production Technologies and implement climate-smart agricultural practices, to enhance productivity while conserving vital resources.
The MoU according to the statement, will deploy strategies to minimize post-harvest losses and improve the quality and competitiveness of rice products in local and international markets.
According to the statement, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh of africarice, also reiterated the centre’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.
AfricaRice is a nonprofit research organization committed to reducing poverty and enhancing food security across Africa through innovative rice research and strong partnerships.
Aisha Ahmed ✍ from Dutse.
