The Jigawa government says it has enrolled 100,000 farmers into a digital platform to foster smart agriculture.

The farmers were enrolled in the digital wallet, GIS-based farm mapping, and AI-driven pest advisory system.

Sagir Musa, commissioner for information, youths and sports, said this in Dutse while presenting the scorecard of Governor Umar Namadi’s administration in the last two years.

He said the state government targeted an enrolment of 100,000 farmers by 2025 against 20,000 in 2023.

Mr Musa said the administration recorded about 75 per cent success in fostering digital agriculture to fast-track sustainable development in the sector.

The commissioner said the government distributed fertilisers, seeds and inputs to 85,000 farmers to encourage crop production in the state.

Mr Musa said the state also recorded a significant feat in AI adaptation in cattle breeding, covering 12,500 out of the 15,000 targets.

On animal husbandry, Mr Musa said that about 4,200 of the targeted 5,000 farmers had been exposed to modern poultry farm skills, while milk production increased to 100,000 against 80,000 litres per day.

The feat, he said, was sequel to the establishment of dairy hubs, cattle breeding and genetic improvement schemes, backyard poultry empowerment and the pastoral resettlement programme.

Similarly, the Namadi administration had opened up 3,800 hectares for irrigation activities against 1,200 in 2023.

According to Mr Musa, the Hadjia River Valley is being expanded by providing solar-powered water pumps, access roads and agricultural marketing projects.

He said the administration had inoculated 450,000 out of the targeted 500,000 animals, upgraded 10 veterinary clinics, and adopted practical measures to address procurement delays and enhance surveillance during outbreaks.

He said the administration distributed 150 tractors to the farmers and trained technicians to encourage farm mechanisation and boost productivity.

Meanwhile, 3,800 fish farmers have been supported in producing over 11,000 tonnes of fish in the last two years.

He said the state recorded rapid agricultural transformation via establishing six seed multiplication farms, introducing the e-voucher input distribution system, and upgrading the fertiliser blending plant.

(NAN)