By Abbas Nazil
Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has urged agricultural scientists and researchers to develop practical innovations that will help farmers cope with climate change, increase crop yields and strengthen Nigeria’s food security.
Namadi said research must translate into solutions that address the challenges of drought, rising temperatures, soil degradation and inefficient water use, particularly as climate change and population growth increase pressure on agricultural production.
The governor made the call on Monday while addressing the 11th National Annual Conference of the Crop Science Society of Nigeria (CSSN), held at the Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State.
He stressed that agricultural research should prioritise improved crop varieties, modern farming techniques and climate-smart technologies that can help farmers sustain production despite changing weather conditions.
“A farmer with a hoe and old seeds cannot out-produce climate change. Only through science, research and development can we give farmers drought-tolerant, early-maturing, high-yielding varieties,” he said.
Namadi maintained that the value of scientific research should be measured by its practical impact on farming communities rather than academic publications alone.
According to him, effective agricultural research should produce better crop varieties, healthier soils, more efficient water management, reduced post-harvest losses, higher yields and improved incomes for farmers.
He said his administration had repositioned and equipped the Jigawa State Agricultural Research Institute to develop solutions in improved seed systems, soil fertility, irrigation, pest and disease management, and post-harvest technologies.
The governor disclosed that the state government was sponsoring 10 PhD and master’s degree researchers under its Wheat Value Chain Research Programme.
He added that more than 80 academics from Jigawa State, including agronomists, crop breeders and agricultural engineers, were pursuing postgraduate studies abroad to strengthen agricultural research and expertise.
Namadi also highlighted partnerships with international agricultural research organisations, including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), AfricaRice and institutions under the CGIAR network, to introduce proven technologies suited to local farming conditions.
He said demonstration farms established in collaboration with the Sasakawa Africa Association had recorded rice yield increases of between 43 and 48 per cent, while sorghum yields rose by more than 60 per cent compared with farmers’ conventional practices.
To improve the delivery of agricultural services, the governor said the state had recruited about 1,700 agricultural extension agents under the J-AGRO programme and distributed 1,185 motorcycles to support their work with farmers.
He urged the Crop Science Society of Nigeria to intensify research into drought- and heat-tolerant crop varieties, soil fertility restoration, improved seed systems and affordable post-harvest technologies.
The governor also called for greater attention to understanding the factors that influence farmers’ adoption of scientific innovations, noting that practical solutions must be accessible and suitable for local farming conditions.
He said stronger collaboration among government agencies, research institutions and the private sector, supported by adequate investment and political commitment, would be essential to achieving sustainable food security.
Namadi further emphasised the need to attract young people to agribusiness by promoting agricultural technologies and research outcomes that improve productivity and create economic opportunities.
