JSG lanches N3.3bn workers agriculture loan

Jigawa State governor Umar Namadi launched the disbursement of N3.3 billion as agricultural grants to 14,000 state civil servants.

Speaking at the project’s flag-off at the state’s Agricultural Distribution Company (JASCO), Governor Malam Umar Namadi said the program aims to address food security, economic empowerment, and improved livelihoods for civil servants in the state.

Malam Umar Namadi explained that the program will help cushion the prevailing economic situation in the country, characterized by rising food prices that have eroded the purchasing power of workers’ salaries.

According to him, “There is no doubt that the soaring cost of food items has placed an enormous burden on our people, particularly our workforce who earn a fixed income. This we are doing within the context of our overall agricultural transformation agenda.”

The governor maintained that “It aligns with our broader vision of transforming Jigawa State into an agricultural hub, and we believe by encouraging workers to participate in farming, we are contributing to increased food production, reduced reliance on food imports, and the overall development of our rural economy.”

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He stated further that “While supporting the efforts of participating civil servants to feed their families and provide them with additional means of livelihood, the program is part of our overall agricultural transformation initiative aimed at achieving food security and economic diversification for Jigawa State and the Nation in general.

“The strategy involves not only getting more people to participate in agricultural production but also bringing more land under cultivation. This initiative is a testament to our administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of our workforce and the overall development of our dear State.”

Mr. Namadi said for the current farming season, the program targets rice, sorghum, millet, and sesame production.

Additionally, Mr. Namadi said the program will seek to provide targeted support in the form of cost inputs supply and soft cash loans for farm operations to cover the cost of labor and other farm management expenses.

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The package comprises 250,000 Naira for millet, sorghum, and sesame, which will cover the cost of inputs consisting of 3 bags of NPK and 1 bag of Urea per hectare, and the provision of assorted chemicals and pesticides, with the balance of the money provided to cover operational costs.

“For those cultivating rice, the package is up to 500,000 Naira to cover the costs of 6 bags of NPK and 3 bags of Urea per hectare, and assorted chemicals and pesticides, and a cash balance to cover the cost of other farm operations,” the governor added.

Mr. Namadi said the program targets all civil servants in the state, but phase one of the program covers over 8,430 civil servants from both the State and Local Government Services and about 400 public and political office holders.