Takeaways from Governor Namadi’s Rwanda food security expedition

The Africa Food Systems Forum Annual Summit, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2 to 6, 2024, was attended by Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State. The summit focused on innovation, acceleration and scaling in a digital and climate-vulnerable world. It aimed to assess progress and reinforce commitments to transform Africa’s food systems. […]

The Africa Food Systems Forum Annual Summit, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2 to 6, 2024, was attended by Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State. The summit focused on innovation, acceleration and scaling in a digital and climate-vulnerable world. It aimed to assess progress and reinforce commitments to transform Africa’s food systems.

The food summit is the world’s largest annual summit on agriculture and food systems on the continent. This year, the summit spotlighted the continental agenda on food systems and showcased innovative approaches, solutions, proven business models, best practices, and the latest technologies that could transform agriculture and food systems to ensure food and nutrition security in Africa while creating jobs and opportunities for youth and women.

The five-person delegation from Jigawa led by the Governor consisted of government officials spearheading the government’s efforts in driving the agricultural sector to mechanisation to boost food security and renewable energy, which is in Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals, calling for affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. The crux of the summit was among the two components in the administration’s 12-point agenda documented as a blueprint for the state’s development.

Jigawa had anticipated the potential benefits that were eventually garnered from the summit. Jigawa, under Governor Namadi, has invested in wheat, hibiscus, sesame, and gum Arabic production and is one of the pivotal states in Nigeria’s journey towards food security and economic prosperity. Last November, the state hosted the National Wheat Development Programme. The federal government cultivated 100,000 hectares of wheat last dry season as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

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At the high-level panel discussion on ECOWAS policy frameworks, in which Governor Namadi participated, the panel examined the impact of ECOWAS policies on governance and sustainable agricultural practices.

Also, at the summit, Governor Namadi met with the African Development Bank (AfDB) team, led by Dr. Martin Fregene, Director of Agriculture and Agro-Industry. Their discussions focused on digitalising the agricultural value chain in Jigawa State to enhance the availability of agricultural inputs for smallholder farmers. The AfDB is committed to supporting Jigawa State in developing strategies to leverage ICT and emerging technologies to boost agricultural productivity, reduce costs and waste and improve market access.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for the plan include enrolling two million farmers in digital databases (e.g., National Identity Number System, Jigawa Agric Information System, Bank Account Number). Mapping and clustering up to three million hectares of farmlands using Geographic Information System (GIS) Issuing Certificates of Occupancy (Digital Farm Passport and Print Certificates) Connecting farmers with essential service providers through a digital marketplace platform.

On Day Three of the Summit, Governor Namadi participated in key discussions on transforming food systems. At a Ministerial Roundtable, he shared insights on his state’s innovative policies to enhance food security and agricultural sustainability. Governor Namadi also attended a joint meeting with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and ECOWAS representatives, focusing on agricultural mechanisation, digitalisation and funding solutions for smallholder farmers.

The governor also interacted with Joseph Nsengimana of the Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning Director at MasterCard Foundation. The Jigawa team explored ways of expanding partnerships for education transformation, agricultural innovation, youth empowerment, and the development of SMEs in Jigawa state.

“Our focus was on initiatives that will enhance food security, drive digital transformation, uplift education standards, and address the issue of out-of-school children”, Governor Namadi said at the interaction.

On the last day of the summit, Governor Namadi led the Jigawa delegation to visit RwandaEQUIP, a programme aimed at transforming Rwanda’s education system. Jay Kimmelman, CEO of NewGlobe, presented findings on learning poverty in Jigawa from a July 2024 study, with plans to implement a similar programme in Jigawa State.

The Governor then held a bilateral meeting with the President and Chairman of  Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), advocating for Jigawa to be selected as an AGRA state. AGRA leadership expressed strong interest in Jigawa’s agricultural transformation, pledging their support for the governor’s commitment to improving smallholder productivity and modernising agriculture.

He also met Prof. Catherine L. Nakalembe, Director of NASA’s Harvest Programme, to discuss solutions to flooding and drought challenges in Jigawa. She committed to providing technical assistance, including satellite and remote sensing technology, to help with climate-related agricultural issues.

Governor Namadi rounded up his mission by meeting Ms Safi Boly, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Transformation Initiative (AATI), to plan the establishment of an Agric Transformation Office in Jigawa, modelled on similar initiatives in Tanzania and Sierra Leone, with the goal of positioning agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction.

Among the praises the governor garnered were these words from one of the AfDB representatives at the summit: “What is going on here? I took this picture with him and his team at the ongoing Africa Food Systems Forum Summit, Kigali, Republic of Rwanda, September 3, 2024. He is here with his team, selling his vision for his state’s agricultural transformation agenda.

“He informed the audience that Jigawa State could only grow its economy and improve its social development indicators through agriculture! Furthermore, he told us that to arrest youth unemployment and restlessness in Nigeria, we generally need to incentivise and encourage them (youth) to take agriculture as a business. This is what leadership and governance are all about! Governor Umar enjoys my total respect and honour,” said Professor Sule Ochai.

It would have been a missed opportunity for Nigeria if Governor Umar Namadi had not attended the summit, as the state is one of the focal points of reference in driving the nation’s food security efforts.

 

Gumel is the Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Jigawa State