Nasarawa State is making bold strides to transform its agricultural sector into a key economic driver. The state government, committed to revitalising agriculture, has led efforts to attract international investment and modernise farming practices – with a focus on bolstering support for farmers, upgrading infrastructure and enhancing security to foster substantial agricultural growth. LINUS OOTA reports that with initiatives like the allocation of 10,000 hectares for rice cultivation and partnerships with global companies, the state aims to position itself as a leading agri-business hub in sub-Saharan Africa, driving economic development and food security.
Nasarawa State is striving to transform its agricultural sector into a key economic driver and a significant contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Governor Abdullahi Sule has taken significant steps in this direction, including leading a state delegation to India to attract foreign investors to the sector. This is fulfilment of his campaign promise to turn around the sector. Upon beginning his second term in May 2023, Governor Sule committed to providing greater support to farmers, improving infrastructure, and enhancing security to attract substantial agricultural investments.
The governor aims to turn the state into a modern agri-business hub in sub-Saharan Africa. He stressed the importance of leveraging the state’s arable land and moving beyond traditional farming methods to achieve better results. Earlier this year, he allocated approximately 10,000 hectares of land in Jemgwe, Awe Local Government Area, for rice and other crop plantations. This initiative is part of his ongoing efforts to boost food production and ensure food sufficiency since assuming office in 2019.
During an inspection of the Jangwa rice farm, which is part of the state’s 10,000-hectare cultivation project, Governor Sule commended the farm’s management and the Ministry of Agriculture for their progress. This project is a crucial element of the state’s strategy to achieve food security. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Jangwa rice farm, noting that the anticipated challenges have been minimal. “We are happy with the progress of work so far. We expected some initial hitches, but in fact, we are not experiencing as many hitches as we thought we were going to experience. The situation is much rosier and better,” he said. He praised the farm’s management and the Ministry of Agriculture for their efforts, emphasizing that the work is proceeding as planned.
Governor Sule is confident that the state government will achieve biannual harvests, thanks to the variety of rice planted at Jangwa Farm. “We have finished planting on this initial area, and we will begin clearing a new area. In the next couple of months, we will be talking about harvesting because of the type of variety of rice planted here. We are planting the best variety of rice here; the one that goes from 100 days to 120. So, the earliest time we are expecting of harvesting is towards the end of October. That will be the most ideal target that we have to aim at. This means that we can harvest twice a year. That is the target for now,” he explained.
Accompanied by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Umar Abubakar Dan’akano, the Project Manager, Allanana Emmanuel, and the Chairman of Awe Local Government Area, Usman Umar, among other officials, Governor Sule’s inspection visit highlighted the state’s commitment to agricultural development. A few weeks earlier, Governor Sule led a delegation to India to attract investment in Nasarawa’s agricultural sector, meeting with the management of Mahindra Tractors in Mumbai. He emphasized the need for the optimal use of government-purchased tractors through effective year-round deployment and tracking to ensure accountability and productivity.
During the meeting with officials of Mahindra Tractors, Governor Sule urged the Commissioner for Agriculture, Umar Abubakar Dan’akano, who was part of the trip to India, to closely monitor the tractors. He emphasised the need for farmers in Nasarawa State to fully utilize government initiatives and support to enhance agricultural production. He cautioned against acquiring unsuitable and expensive technology that does not align with the state’s agricultural practices and level of development. He stated, “Farmers in Nasarawa State must take advantage of all the initiatives and gestures of the government to improve agricultural production to ensure we do not worsen situations by acquiring technology that is unsuitable and expensive for our kind of agriculture and level of development.”
At the meeting, an agreement was reached on a technical model and support system to ensure that tractor repairs are accessible to farmers in their respective areas. This initiative aims to bring technical assistance closer to the farmers, addressing some of the challenges they face. Additionally, technology deployment was discussed to solve issues affecting both farmers and herders, promoting a more efficient and sustainable agricultural sector in Nasarawa State.
The meeting allowed the governor’s team to assess advanced production techniques and quality control measures aimed at improving efficiency across the crop value chain. The governor sought a partnership with India’s leading tractor and farm implement manufacturer to set up a tractor maintenance workshop in Nasarawa State. During a visit to the company’s plant in Nagpur, India, Governor Sule expressed confidence in the company’s capabilities and assured that establishing a tractor maintenance facility in Nasarawa would bring tremendous benefits. He also sought collaboration in manpower development, emphasising the importance of training and retraining young individuals in technical and technology-driven fields.
The state delegation toured the tractor facility for over two hours, engaging with technical staff and department heads. He explored all sections involved in production, from the initial stages to the fully assembled tractor, and conducted quality testing, virtual painting, and even drove a 75-horsepower tractor to experience its capabilities first-hand. Following the visit to Nagpur, Governor Sule inspected departments and facilities at the GH Raisoni College of Engineering. Reflecting on his experience, he remarked, “More companies are seeking meetings to offer their technical support for our agriculture. We have emphasised that agriculture is a cornerstone of our policy as a government. We made it clear that we are not looking for fancy or complicated technology that may not be suitable for our environment. We are looking for simple solutions that directly address our challenges.”
“In my meetings, we discussed how we can maximise the use of our tractors by deploying them year-round. We now have a clearer picture of how our tractor maintenance outfits will function,” said Governor Sule. “We want to ensure that the workshops operate optimally and sustainably. This initiative could be crucial in mitigating farmer-herder conflicts. Our commitment to food security is serious, and we will spare no efforts in contributing our quota as a state.” He emphasised the state’s commitment to reducing reliance on federal allocations by harnessing the potential of the agriculture sector. Highlighting Nasarawa’s agricultural prowess, he showcased the state’s significant contributions to crop production, noting that Nasarawa is the top producer of sesame and ranks high in rice, yam and cassava production in the country.
He outlined plans to engage youths in mechanised agriculture to enhance food production and create job opportunities, along with initiatives to provide tractors to farmers through leasing arrangements. The governor reiterated his administration’s keen interest in promoting agriculture due to its immense economic impact, identifying it as one of the top two key pillars of the industrial revolution being undertaken by his administration. “Indeed, our state is fast becoming a hub for agribusiness, hosting several key agricultural ventures that boost economic activities. Agriculture is critical to achieving the aspirations of my administration,” said Governor Sule. “The competitiveness of Nasarawa State is closely tied to the agricultural sector, given its vast arable land, available cheap labour, and a high proportion of smallholder farmers who can easily be mobilised to scale up connectivity to key states in the North-central zone, especially the FCT.”
It is encouraging to see that the administration is striving to sustain partnerships with both local and international stakeholders in agriculture to improve the living standards of the people. Nasarawa State is recognised as one of the leading agrarian states, with 85 per cent of the population engaged in various agricultural activities. The state is endowed with vast land and a climate conducive to cultivating crops such as yam, cassava, maize, rice, and millet. Sesame cultivation in the state is notable for its high oil content, which is essential for vegetable oil production. This agricultural potential underscores why the administration prioritises agriculture as the state’s major source of internal revenue.
His preference for agriculture is further reinforced by the state’s comparative advantage in producing various crops. In his inaugural speech on May 29, 2019, Sule stated, “The major part of our agenda is to encourage commercial agriculture in our areas of comparative advantage and boost value addition to our crops by laying a solid foundation for agro-allied industries. To this end, the government will work with interested investors to drive the sector to diverse levels of growth.” He has since matched his words with action. Over the past five years, he has consistently ensured the early distribution of fertilizer to farmers each year.
During the review period, the administration advanced its agricultural agenda by signing a tripartite agreement with AZMAN Group, securing a 45-year lease for 12,400 hectares of land in the Umaisha Development Area. This initiative aims to significantly enhance rice production in the state. Agriculture is crucial for community and national well-being. When given proper attention, it ensures food security, creates job opportunities, and can reduce crime rates by providing economic stability. Recognising this, the governor also attracted Dangote Group to invest in Nasarawa State. Dangote has initiated a sugarcane plantation in Tunga, Awe Local Government Area, which will supply raw materials for the sugar industry and create employment opportunities.
Additionally, the administration supports the expansion of Olam Farm in Rukubi, Doma Local Government Area, and continues to seek ways for farmers to access agro-financial resources and skills. This proactive approach underscores the administration’s commitment to fostering agricultural growth and development in the state. The Nasarawa State government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have secured a N1billion loan facility aimed at youth empowerment, reflecting a strategic focus on revitalising agriculture amid the country’s current economic challenges. Governor Sule’s administration believes that revisiting agricultural development is crucial for achieving sustainable economic growth.
Historically, agriculture was the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, contributing an annual average of 59 percent to the GDP during the 1960s and 1970s. It was the primary source of foreign exchange earnings, with different regions specializing in various cash crops: cocoa in the West, groundnut and cotton in the North, and oil palm and rubber in the East. However, the once-thriving agricultural sector has seen a decline. The groundnut pyramids of the North are now a relic, oil palm and rubber plantations have fallen into disuse, and cocoa production in the West has diminished. In contrast to petroleum, which channels revenue to the government, agricultural incomes directly benefit farmers, making it a more immediate source of economic improvement. The current administration’s focus on agriculture underscores its commitment to leveraging this sector to foster economic stability and growth.
