Jigawa targets 10,000 date palm trees to boost export

The Jigawa State Government has unveiled plans to plant 10,000 improved date palm trees as part of a strategic, export-driven agricultural expansion programme. Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, disclosed this during a high-level meeting with Saudi Arabian date palm experts at the residence of the Saudi Arabian Consul General in Kano. He described the […]

The Jigawa State Government has unveiled plans to plant 10,000 improved date palm trees as part of a strategic, export-driven agricultural expansion programme.

Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, disclosed this during a high-level meeting with Saudi Arabian date palm experts at the residence of the Saudi Arabian Consul General in Kano.

He described the initiative as a major step toward positioning Jigawa as a competitive player in the international date market.

The governor explained that the 10,000 offshoots—comprising both local and commercial varieties—will be cultivated using advanced techniques such as tissue culture and molecular segregation to ensure high-quality yields that meet export standards.

He said the programme is designed not only to expand production but also to strengthen the state’s export capacity by improving seed quality, standardising plantations, and adopting modern farming practices.

According to a statement, “Jigawa, which remains Nigeria’s leading producer of date palm, currently has 1,042 hectares under cultivation.

“The government is also conducting a comprehensive survey of existing date palm trees across the state to streamline data for planning and export readiness.”

The export-focused programme is part of the state’s broader agricultural transformation agenda, aimed at diversifying the economy and turning date palm cultivation into a major revenue-generating sector.