The government of Jigawa State has initiated the departure of 30 newly recruited master technicians to China for specialized training in agricultural mechanization. The aim is to modernize the agricultural sector by incorporating advanced technology and enhancing productivity. These technicians, who have engineering and agricultural engineering backgrounds, will undergo six to eight weeks of training in agricultural equipment maintenance and operation.
Governor Umar Namadi, while witnessing the departure of the technicians, emphasized the significance of this initiative in the state’s agricultural history. He highlighted the government’s commitment to mechanizing farming practices to improve efficiency and reduce manual labor among farmers. The state government has established 60 service centers and appointed a managing director for the Jigawa State Farm Mechanization Program to oversee the deployment and maintenance of farm machinery.
The government has also procured essential farm implements, including tractors, combine harvesters, plows, and sprayers. Payments for the machinery are in progress, with deliveries expected to begin by late December 2024 or early January 2025. Governor Namadi assured that the equipment would be accessible to farmers at subsidized rates through the service centers.
The training of the 30 technicians is part of a comprehensive capacity-building initiative under the Jigawa Agricultural Mechanization Support System. The program aims to train a total of 2,726 individuals in various specializations to create job opportunities and enhance agricultural productivity in the state.
Beneficiaries of the training expressed gratitude for the opportunity and their eagerness to contribute to the agricultural development of Jigawa State. They believe that the training will equip them with the necessary skills to make a meaningful impact on the state’s agricultural sector.