Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has embarked on a four-day official visit to Ethiopia with the objective of studying Ethiopia’s national wheat production initiative.
The visit also includes engaging in a comprehensive experience-sharing program aimed at bringing new ideas to the agricultural sector in Jigawa State.
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr. Hamisu Muhammed Gumel, issued a press statement in Dutse, Jigawa State, announcing the governor’s visit.
According to the statement, the purpose of the visit is to study Ethiopia’s National Wheat Production Initiative and participate in an experience-sharing program with the country’s top agricultural officials and experts.
The initiative seeks to glean insights and best practices from Ethiopia’s successful wheat production efforts, with the aim of applying these lessons to enhance wheat production in Jigawa State. The governor’s visit underscores the state government’s commitment to fostering agricultural development and improving food security in the region.
According to the statement “His Excellency Malam Umar Namadi embarked on a significant study tour to Ethiopia with a high-level delegation comprising key aides on agricultural matters, officials, and professionals from the state’s ministry of Agriculture and relevant agencies to meets with that Ethiopian top agricultural officials and experts with the aim of bringing home new ideas in the sector”.
Mr Hamisu Muhammed Gumel explained that “another key objective of of the visit includes field assessment of Ethiopia’s successful National Wheat Production Initiative and its benefits, facilitating knowledge exchange on wheat production systems and best practices, addressing challenges in sustainable wheat production, and enhancing collaboration between Ethiopia and Nigeria in adopting sustainable agricultural practices”.
The statement stated further that Another specific focus areas include during the trip is understanding Ethiopia’s long-term plans for wheat production, assessing progress and challenges, exploring different production methods, and showcasing successful models like agricultural commercialization and farmer production clusters”.
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The governor who accompanied by official of the state ministry of agriculture, key aides on agricultural matters and professionals from the state’s relevant agencies such as irrigation farming and wheat production.
Wheat, being the second-largest grain globally in terms of production volume and acreage, holds critical importance in addressing food security challenges worldwide. Against this backdrop, Ethiopia has emerged as a key player in wheat production in Africa, demonstrating remarkable achievements in agricultural sustainability and productivity.
Mr Gumel maintained that the visit stresses the commitment of governor Namadi’s administration to exploring innovative agricultural practices for enhancing food security and transforming the agricultural sector into a business venture for the largely agrarian population in the state.
He added that Jigawa state is currently the foremost wheat producer in Nigeria, which significantly contributing to the nation’s agricultural sector and food security, and the study tour is expected to open opportunities for the state as well as achieve several critical outcomes that would help to enhance sustainable wheat production in the state.