Jigawa State to Plant 10,000 Date Palms with Saudi Help

On a recent weekend, Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi held strategic talks with representatives from the Date Palm Foundation of Saudi Arabia, led by Professor Ahmad Al Jabbar from King Fahad University. The meeting, attended by the Saudi Arabian Consul General in Kano and other officials, focused on leveraging Saudi expertise to improve date palm production in Jigawa State through advanced techniques such as molecular segregation and tissue culture.

Governor Namadi expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with Saudi experts, highlighting the state's vast arable land suitable for date palm cultivation, which positions Nigeria as a potential leading producer. He disclosed plans to establish plantations in five locations across the state, emphasizing the need for capacity building among date palm farmers to improve yields and adopt modern practices.

The initiative aims to plant 10,000 date palm offshoots, covering local commercial varieties, alongside a comprehensive training program for local youth. Currently, 1,042 hectares are cultivated, providing employment for 400 youths, with plans to expand participation to 1,000 youths in the scheme, allocating half a hectare each to support sustainable livelihoods and enhance farmers' income and export potential.