Hussaini Kafi in Kano
Jigawa State has entered a strategic partnership with a leading Saudi Arabian agricultural firm and Nigeria’s Netay Agro-Tech to enhance date palm production in the state.
The state Governor, Umar Namadi received a delegation led by Abdul’aziz Abdurrahman Al-Awf, a representative of one of Saudi Arabia’s largest palm
plantation firms, at the Government House in Dutse.
The governor’s spokesperson, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
The partnership aims to introduce advanced farming techniques, technology transfer, and large-scale investment in date farming. Al-Awf emphasized that the initiative would ensure year-round production, train local farmers, and empower youth while introducing high-yielding date palm varieties.
“This project will not only increase Jigawa’s production but also improve quality, positioning the state as a hub for date farming in Nigeria and Africa,” he said.
Governor Namadi expressed full support, highlighting Jigawa’s leading role in wheat and date production in Nigeria. He stated that the government was committed to making the state a center for large-scale date farming and export.
Representatives from Netay Agro-Tech confirmed that extensive groundwork had been done, including soil analysis and research collaborations. They identified four high-value date varieties—Mejdool, Barhi, Sukkari, and Ajwa—for large-scale cultivation in Jigawa.
The Saudi delegation and Netay Agro-Tech officials also toured existing plantations to assess their potential for expansion.
