Jigawa farmers get bio-fortified seeds

The Jigawa State Government has officially launched the distribution of bio-fortified seed varieties to smallholder farmers in the state. The seeds distributed to the farmers are those of millet and maize. The selected crops – millet and maize – are known for their adaptability to local farming systems and their enhanced levels of essential nutrients […]

The Jigawa State Government has officially launched the distribution of bio-fortified seed varieties to smallholder farmers in the state.

The seeds distributed to the farmers are those of millet and maize.

The selected crops – millet and maize – are known for their adaptability to local farming systems and their enhanced levels of essential nutrients like iron, vitamin A and zinc.

The free seed distribution is part of the state government’s strategy to combat malnutrition and strengthen climate-resilient farming systems across the state.

• Festival: Ojude Oba; where fashion meets culture
• Don’t invest in seeds, fertiliser alone, but also in science – Jonathan

Speaking during the event, the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Jigawa State chapter, Auwal Garba Ibrahim, an engineer, said the gesture was a welcome development for smallholder farmers in the state.

He explained that it was also important to adopt the use of resilient seeds, taking into consideration the current climate change challenges.

“Words alone cannot express Jigawa State’s farmers’ joy at the distribution of these seeds. Every farmer is aware that due to the current climate change, things are not as they used to be; as such, there is need for the adoption of climate-resilient seeds, which the state government and other donor bodies are distributing to smallholder farmers. No doubt this gesture would surely change the agricultural narrative in the state,” he said.

Malam Adamu Dandada, who spoke on behalf of the farmers, noted that the distribution was timely.

Similarly speaking during the official launch of the distribution, the Jigawa State governor, Malam Umar Namadi, emphasised that the distribution of bio-fortified seeds in the largely agrarian state was not just an agricultural intervention but a health-driven initiative.

“Indeed, the launch of climate-resilient and bio-fortified seeds stands as a powerful declaration of our resolve to ensure not only unimpeded and timely access to quality seeds by our farmers but also as a very important access to the kind of seeds that will complement our efforts in achieving environmental sustainability and improvement in the health and health conditions of our people.

“It is towards this end that we are today commencing the distribution of climate-resilient and bio-fortified seeds to 30,000 smallholder farmers throughout Jigawa State. This is, by all means, a critical and practical step within our overall agricultural transformation agenda, with a direct impact beyond the agricultural sector,” he revealed.

Governor Namadi further said the state government was implementing a far-reaching agricultural transformation agenda focused on improving productivity, sustainability and food security, of which key initiatives include the recruitment of 1,435 extension workers, support for over 40,000 rice and wheat farmers through input financing, and major reforms in farm mechanisation through the establishment of an agricultural transformation agency and Jigawa Farm Mechanisation Service Company.

Also speaking at the event, the country manager of HarvestPlus Nigeria, Yusuf Dollar Fu’ad, commended the Jigawa State Government for taking the initiative in introducing the LDS biofortified seeds in the state.

“Research has also shown that rising temperatures due to climate change are immensely depleting the nutrients we have in our staple crops; hence the need for us to increase our investment in creating access to these nutritious varieties,” he remarked.

The launch was supported by HarvestPlus and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), in collaboration with relevant federal and state institutions.