The Jigawa State Government has formally launched a Wheat Value Chain Research Programme as part of its ongoing efforts to modernise agriculture through research, innovation, and human capital development. The programme, described as the first of its kind in the country, also featured the award of research grants to ten postgraduate scholars made up of four PhD and six MSc candidates.
The grants award ceremony was presided over by Governor Malam Umar Namadi on Wednesday at the Council Chambers of the Government House in Dutse. Jigawa State is currently the leading producer of wheat in Nigeria, and the initiative followed a statewide invitation for research proposals as well as a rigorous, merit-based selection process.
Speaking at the presentation of the awards, Governor Namadi described the programme as a strategic intervention aimed at supporting innovation and promoting evidence-based policymaking in the agricultural sector. He said the initiative was designed to strengthen research capacity and ensure that government policies are guided by practical and scientific findings.
“This initiative is timely and important, especially considering global developments and the growing need for food security,” the governor said. He congratulated the beneficiaries on their selection and noted that their work would build on existing efforts to expand wheat production and strengthen agribusiness in Jigawa State.
Governor Namadi told the scholars that their selection showed their readiness to partner with the state in advancing agriculture. “Your selection has shown that you are intelligent, capable, and ready to partner with the government in advancing agriculture, which remains a critical sector for our state. We sincerely appreciate your commitment and encourage you not to relent in your efforts,” he said.
The governor also praised the selection committee for what he described as a fair and transparent process, adding that the quality of the selected scholars reflected the seriousness and credibility of the programme. He assured the beneficiaries that the state government is ready to implement the outcomes of their research, stressing that the initiative is expected to deliver practical solutions that will directly benefit farmers and support the broader agricultural development agenda of the state.
Governor Namadi further expressed appreciation to the Committee on the Wheat Value Chain Development Programme and the Jigawa Research Institute for their commitment and collaboration. He described them as reliable partners in the state’s agricultural transformation efforts and urged the beneficiaries to devote the required time, discipline, and intellectual rigour to their research assignments. According to him, their findings will serve as a foundation for future agricultural policies and programmes in Jigawa State.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee on Wheat Value Chain Development Programme, Professor Usman Haruna, explained that the initiative was informed by the central role agriculture plays in Jigawa State, where about 80 percent of the population depends on farming and related activities for their livelihoods. He identified wheat as a strategic crop with strong potential for income generation and food security.
Professor Haruna, however, noted that wheat production in the state has been constrained by limited research capacity, inadequate locally adapted seed varieties, and insufficient scientific support. “Wheat, in particular, has great potential in Jigawa State. However, our ability to produce wheat in large quantities has been constrained by several factors. These include the lack of adequate and improved wheat varieties suitable for our environment, as well as the shortage of research scientists capable of conducting in-depth research in wheat production,” he said.
He explained that the programme was designed to address these gaps by building the capacity of young scientists to undertake focused research aimed at developing the wheat value chain in Jigawa State. According to him, the Jigawa Research Institute initiated the programme to strengthen scientific support for wheat production and improve overall productivity.
Professor Haruna disclosed that 36 applications were received in response to the call for research proposals, out of which 17 candidates met the criteria and were invited for interviews. “The committee designed a robust and transparent interview process, and at the end of the exercise, 10 candidates emerged successful. These candidates were therefore recommended for the award of scholarships to conduct research on wheat value chain development in Jigawa State,” he said.
He added that the selected scholars will focus on critical areas across the wheat value chain, including seed development adapted to Jigawa’s climatic conditions, productivity enhancement, and value addition. According to him, strengthening research capacity in wheat production will not only improve output in Jigawa State but also contribute significantly to meeting national wheat demand.
“This initiative will not only impact wheat production but will also have positive spill-over effects on other crops such as rice and sorghum, which Jigawa State is well known for cultivating. The state has enormous agricultural potential, and the government has continued to support value chain development across various crops, including rice, sesame, and wheat,” Professor Haruna said.
He expressed confidence that the programme would lead to the development of viable wheat seed varieties adapted to the state’s climatic conditions. “With these young researchers now in place, we are confident that viable wheat seed varieties adapted to Jigawa’s climatic conditions will be developed. This will improve productivity, boost farmers’ yields, and ultimately increase the state’s contribution to the national wheat supply,” he added.
The programme’s research areas include Wheat Seeds Development Research, Wheat Value Chain Studies, and Wheat Irrigation Efficiencies. The initiative will be implemented in partnership with leading research institutions and universities, including Federal University Dutse, Sule Lamido University in Kafin-Hausa, Bayero University Kano, the Institute for Agricultural Research in Zaria, and the Lake Chad Research Institute.
