Over 60 per cent of our farmers not using improved seeds – Jigawa govt

The Jigawa State Government has revealed that over 60 per cent of farmers in the state do not use improved seedlings in their farming activities.

Saifullahi Umar, Technical Advisor on Agriculture to the state governor, disclosed this during a two-day capacity building session for supervisors of the Rice Millionaires programme held at JARDA.

He stated that there is an urgent need to address the wide gaps caused by the unavailability of improved seedlings that farmers have faced for many years.

Saifullahi explained that 35 to 50 per cent of yield depends on the quality of the seed used by a farmer.

He stated, “Most of our farmers have been making less or no profit due to the seeds they use in their farms.”

“For instance, in Jigawa, for our wet season farming of millet alone, we need at least 2000 tons of improved seedlings.”

“The same situation applies to other crops such as sorghum, maize, wheat, and rice. We lack early generation seedlings like breeder seeds and foundation seeds.”

He said the Rice Millionaires programme aims to shift youth perspectives from traditional farming methods to viewing farming as a business. Additionally, the programme will provide sufficient improved rice seedlings to farmers to enhance their yield.

Saifullahi, therefore, urged the participants to use the knowledge they acquired wisely and to disseminate it to farmers at the grassroots level.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving agriculture across the state to ensure food security and boost the state’s economy.