By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Jigawa State Government has unveiled plans to plant 10,000 improved date palm trees under an export-driven agricultural expansion programme.
Governor Umar Namadi announced the initiative during a meeting with Saudi Arabian date palm experts in Kano, describing it as a major step toward positioning the state in the international date market.
The 10,000 offshoots, comprising local and commercial varieties, will be cultivated using advanced techniques such as tissue culture and molecular segregation to ensure high-quality yields that meet export standards.
The programme aims to boost production, improve seed quality, standardise plantations and strengthen export capacity.
Jigawa, Nigeria’s leading date palm producer, currently has 1,042 hectares under cultivation and is conducting a statewide survey of existing trees to enhance planning and export readiness.
The initiative forms part of the state’s broader agricultural transformation agenda to diversify the economy and grow date palm into a key revenue earner.
