The Jigawa State Government has announced plans to generate over ₦30 billion annually from date palm farming as part of its effort to empower young people and reduce dependence on federal allocation.
Speaking on the development, officials said the initiative aims to boost local production, create jobs, and promote agricultural sustainability in northern Nigeria. According to experts, the programme could become a major contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural GDP if properly managed.
Earlier, Nigeriastartupact.ng reported that the federal government launched the planting of 50 million date palm trees in Jigawa State under a national plan to combat desertification and restore degraded land across the North.
The Jigawa government also confirmed that 400 youths have been trained on hybrid date production techniques. “Each seedling can produce over 70 kilos initially and, if well managed, can generate up to ₦7 million monthly,” an official explained.
The project was officially flagged off by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, alongside the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State and the Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW).