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.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hamisu Muhammad Gumel, and issued to newsmen on Saturday.
The statement said Governor Malam Umar Namadi disclosed the plan 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 towards positioning Jigawa as a competitive player in the international date market.
The governor explained that the 10,000 offshoots, covering 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 the 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.”
Governor Namadi noted that new plantations will be established in five strategic locations to consolidate output and ensure consistent supply for both local processing and international markets.
He emphasised that the initiative will create employment opportunities for youths, increase farmers’ incomes and open up foreign exchange prospects for the state.
“Certainly, this is sure to boost productivity, increase farmers’ incomes and enhance export potential,” the governor stated.
The export-focused programme is part of the state’s broader agricultural transformation agenda, which aims to diversify the economy and turn date palm cultivation into a major revenue-generating sector.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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