JIGAWA PLANS MAJOR FARM EQUIPMENT ROLLOUT TO BOOST FOOD PRODUCTION

The Jigawa State Government is set to distribute more than 400 tractors and 60 combine harvesters to farmers from November 2026 as part of efforts to expand mechanised agriculture and increase food production across the state. The Director-General of the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency (J-AGRO), Dr Saifullahi Umar, disclosed this in Gumel during a programme organised by the Association of J-AGRO Workers in the state. The planned equipment distribution is expected to give farmers greater access to modern machinery and reduce their dependence on traditional farming methods.

Umar said the procurement and deployment of the farm machinery formed part of the state government's wider agricultural transformation programme, which focuses on improving productivity, expanding mechanisation and strengthening food security. He explained that the state had already established 60 farm mechanisation centres across Jigawa to make modern agricultural equipment more accessible to farmers. He added that the government had also distributed more than 12,000 solar-powered water pumps to farmers and provided support to over 50,000 rice farmers as part of its efforts to improve agricultural output.

The J-AGRO director-general said the planned arrival of the tractors and combine harvesters would further strengthen the state's mechanisation programme and enable farmers to cultivate larger areas of land more efficiently. Combine harvesters are expected to particularly support farmers during harvesting by reducing the time and labour required to gather crops. The government believes that greater access to modern machinery can help improve yields, reduce production costs and encourage more people to remain in farming as Jigawa continues to position agriculture as a major driver of its economy.

The announcement was made alongside an empowerment programme through which more than 550 women were trained and sensitised on agricultural activities including poultry farming, backyard gardening, tree planting and soilless hydroponic farming. The Secretary of the Association of J-AGRO Workers, Aminu Musa, said the programme was designed to complement the government's agricultural development efforts by giving women practical skills that could help them establish small businesses and generate income. The training was funded through monthly contributions from members of the workers' association, while participants were also encouraged to use the skills acquired to contribute to food production.

The latest initiative reflects Jigawa's continued focus on mechanisation, irrigation, agricultural skills and increased food production as part of its economic development strategy. With the planned distribution of hundreds of tractors and dozens of combine harvesters, the state government is seeking to move more farmers towards modern methods of cultivation and harvesting while creating opportunities for increased commercial production. The authorities also hope that the combination of improved equipment, irrigation support and farmer training will strengthen food security and create more sustainable sources of income for farming communities across the state.