Jigawa State government has opened 30 centres for the distribution of farm inputs to over 54,000 dry-season rice farmers at a 30 percent subsidy.
The technical adviser to the state governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Saifullahi Umar, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the distribution exercise.
He explained that the initiative was designed under the Jigawa Rice Production Programme which targets over 200,000 hectares and is expected to expand to 500,000 hectares by 2030.
Dr Saifullahi noted that the beneficiaries were registered on the state’s e-platform, and a text message containing a unique identification code was sent to them for redeeming the inputs at the designated centres.
According to him, the beneficiaries are required to pay 30 percent of the input cost upfront, while the remaining 40 percent would be paid after harvesting within a six-month grace period.
“The 30 percent subsidy applies to farmers registered for 0.5 to 1 hectare, while large-scale farmers will enjoy a 10 percent subsidy under the same repayment terms.
“The inputs include certified foundation seeds, fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides. Additionally, 20,000 solar-powered water pumps will be sold to farmers under a cluster programme,” he said.
Dr Saifullahi warned that strict measures have been put in place to ensure that only eligible farmers access the inputs. He emphasised that any attempt to divert the materials would be considered a sabotage against the state’s agricultural policy and decisively dealt with under the law.
