Jigawa State has declared its readiness to become one of Africa’s leading implementation hubs for the next phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT III) Programme, with Governor Umar Namadi calling for stronger agricultural innovation systems that move proven technologies beyond research laboratories and into the hands of millions of farmers.
Speaking during the High-Level TAAT Parallel Session at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW-9) in Abuja, Governor Namadi said Africa’s agricultural future will not be secured by scientific breakthroughs alone, but by the continent’s ability to build institutions, partnerships and delivery systems capable of scaling those innovations where they are needed most.
Addressing policymakers, researchers, development partners, financial institutions, private sector leaders and farmer organisations, the governor described the conference as a timely opportunity to bridge the long-standing gap between agricultural research and practical impact on farms across Africa.
“Africa’s agricultural opportunity lies in turning proven science into broad-based productivity, jobs, food security and shared prosperity,” he said.
The governor praised the African Development Bank’s Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme, describing it as one of the continent’s most successful initiatives for connecting scientific innovation with farmers through coordinated investments in extension services, mechanisation, financing, markets, supportive policies and strong institutions.
According to him, the success of agricultural transformation depends less on the technologies themselves than on the systems that enable farmers to adopt them at scale.
Agriculture Driving Jigawa’s Economic Vision
Governor Namadi said agriculture remains the backbone of Jigawa State’s economy, contributing more than 80 per cent of the state’s projected Gross Domestic Product while sustaining the livelihoods of millions of residents.
He explained that his administration is repositioning the sector from traditional subsistence farming to a modern, investment-driven agricultural economy capable of creating jobs, attracting private capital and strengthening food security.
Central to that vision is the establishment of the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), which serves as the coordinating institution for agricultural development across the state.
The agency is expected to strengthen planning, facilitate investment, improve farmers’ access to finance, irrigation, mechanisation and markets, while promoting the adoption of modern agricultural technologies.
Governor Namadi noted that JATA’s mandate closely mirrors the objectives of the TAAT programme, particularly in scaling productivity, strengthening commodity value chains and building climate-resilient agriculture.
Investing in Research and Innovation
The governor highlighted several initiatives aimed at making science and innovation central to Jigawa’s agricultural transformation agenda.
Among them is a Wheat Value Chain Research Programme that supports postgraduate research in seed development, irrigation efficiency and value chain improvement through partnerships with universities and research institutions.
The initiative, he said, is designed to generate locally relevant innovations while ensuring research findings translate into practical solutions for farmers.
The state has also awarded postgraduate scholarships to more than 80 academics specialising in agriculture and related disciplines to strengthen research capacity, technology adaptation and agricultural extension services.
In addition, the Jigawa State Agricultural Research Institute has received increased funding and institutional support to expand research in improved seed systems, soil fertility management, irrigation development, climate-smart agriculture and agro-processing.
Mechanisation and Irrigation Expansion
Governor Namadi said mechanisation remains one of the pillars of the state’s agricultural modernisation strategy.
Through the Jigawa Farm Mechanisation Service Company, farmers now have increased access to tractors, harvesters, planters and other modern equipment delivered through decentralised service centres across the state.
The initiative, he noted, has reduced labour shortages, expanded cultivated farmland, created rural enterprises and encouraged greater youth participation in agriculture.
He also highlighted ongoing investments in irrigation infrastructure, dam rehabilitation and renewable energy-powered irrigation systems aimed at supporting year-round farming while strengthening resilience to climate change.
Supporting Farmers and Expanding Livestock Value Chains
To improve productivity among smallholder farmers, the state government has introduced a comprehensive wet-season support programme targeting about 90,000 farmers with certified seeds, subsidised fertiliser and herbicides, backed by strengthened extension services and digital farmer registration systems.
Governor Namadi also pointed to the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Livestock as part of efforts to expand livestock production through improved veterinary services, feed development and strategic partnerships to strengthen dairy and livestock value chains.
Jigawa Eyes Strategic Role Under TAAT III
Looking ahead to the next phase of the African Development Bank-supported programme, Governor Namadi reaffirmed Jigawa State’s commitment to serving as an implementation partner for TAAT III.
He said the state possesses the institutional capacity, irrigation infrastructure, mechanisation systems, extensive arable land and organised farmer networks required to accelerate the deployment of proven agricultural technologies.
The governor expressed optimism that TAAT III would deepen collaboration with implementation-ready states, attract greater private sector investment, strengthen agricultural innovation systems, promote climate resilience and accelerate digital agriculture across the continent.
He maintained that Africa’s agricultural transformation would ultimately be judged not by the volume of research produced but by measurable improvements in productivity, food security, employment and rural livelihoods.
“Our transformation must be driven by science, delivered through strong institutions and partnerships, and measured by sustainable growth and better lives for our people,” he said.
The High-Level TAAT Parallel Session formed part of activities at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week, bringing together governments, research institutions, development finance organisations, agribusinesses and farmer groups to examine practical strategies for strengthening agricultural technology delivery systems across Africa.
Since its launch in 2018 under the African Development Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy, the TAAT programme has emerged as one of the continent’s flagship agricultural transformation initiatives.
Programme statistics show that it has reached more than 25 million smallholder farmers, validated over 180 proven agricultural technologies, supported the distribution of climate-resilient seeds and fertiliser, mobilised billions of dollars in agricultural investments and helped governments strengthen seed systems, mechanisation, digital extension services and climate-smart farming practices across Africa.
