Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi has urged researchers to focus on practical studies that address climate challenges, improve crop production and strengthen food security.
Namadi made the call on Monday at the 11th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Crop Science Society of Nigeria (CSSN), hosted by the Federal University Dutse (FUD).
The conference was themed “Advancing Sustainable Crop Production and Climate-Smart Technology for Food Security and Economic Growth.”
The governor urged researchers to develop drought-tolerant crop varieties, restore soil health, improve access to certified seeds, reduce post-harvest losses and investigate why farmers fail to adopt proven technologies.
He emphasised the need for quality research on sorghum, millet, cowpea, maize, wheat and rice to help farmers adapt to shorter, hotter and less predictable growing seasons.
Namadi also highlighted the importance of soil mapping, site-specific fertiliser recommendations and biological solutions to declining soil fertility. He called for affordable preservation and processing technologies, as well as improved systems for delivering quality seeds to farmers.
He further urged researchers to explore ways to build farmers’ confidence in new technologies and encourage young people to embrace agribusiness.
“A farmer with a hoe and old seed cannot outproduce climate change,” he said.
Namadi identified leadership, research and investment as the three pillars of agricultural transformation, noting that farmers needed access to irrigation, mechanisation, finance and markets.
He said the Jigawa Agricultural Policy 2024–2030 prioritised climate-smart production, irrigation, mechanisation, improved seed systems, value addition and market access.
According to the governor, the state government has deployed 450 tractors and 70 combine harvesters and established 60 mechanisation centres through its farm mechanisation company.
He added that the state was working with the Federal Government to develop 18,000 hectares of land and deploy 600 solar-powered water pumps in the Hadejia Valley for upland irrigation.
Namadi said the government had also targeted 90,000 farmers for fertiliser distribution during the 2026 wet season and deployed 1,700 extension agents and 1,185 motorcycles to improve agricultural support services.
He disclosed that wheat value-chain research in the state had supported 10 PhD and master’s degree researchers, while 80 academics were pursuing postgraduate studies abroad.
“We are also developing 200 integrated rice processing clusters and supporting investment in rice, sesame, hibiscus and wheat processing,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of FUD, Prof. Ahmad Gumel, said climate change was disrupting rainfall patterns, increasing temperatures and threatening agricultural productivity.
“Climate-smart agriculture is not merely an option, it is an imperative for food security, economic growth and national stability,” he said.
Gumel called for collaboration among universities, government agencies, research institutes, farmers and the private sector to translate research findings into practical solutions.
The CSSN President, Prof. Aminu Ahmad, identified climate variability, declining soil fertility, pests and diseases, and rising production costs as major challenges facing crop production.
He urged members of the association to develop improved crop varieties and efficient soil and water management technologies to increase yields.
Ahmad said the conference provided a platform for exchanging ideas and developing recommendations for sustainable crop production.
