By Abdullahi Lukman
In a strategic move to position Jigawa State as Nigeria’s leading hub for forage production and agribusiness, Governor Malam Umar Namadi is spearheading a high-level technical learning mission to the Republic of Argentina.
The visit, undertaken in collaboration with El-Meena Farms Limited and international partners, including the Alkhorayef Group of Saudi Arabia, is focused on industrializing the alfalfa value chain—an integral pillar of the Namadi administration’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The delegation is studying Argentina’s globally acclaimed agricultural ecosystem in the Province of Córdoba, a semi-arid region with climatic conditions comparable to those of Northern Nigeria.
Central to the mission is the adoption of Argentina’s “Cluster Model,” which links smallholder farmers to high-tech industrial processing hubs, ensuring domestic feed security while driving exports to Middle Eastern markets.
During the visit, Governor Namadi and his team conducted extensive field and industrial assessments aimed at shaping a practical roadmap for Jigawa’s agricultural development. Highlights of the engagements include:
* A visit to Biofarma S.A., a leading animal nutrition company in Córdoba, where advanced livestock health and feeding systems were examined to support improvements in Jigawa’s livestock sector.
* Tours of the Nafosa and Pellfood processing plants, offering firsthand exposure to mega-baling, high-density compaction, and pelleting technologies.
* Inspections of large-scale alfalfa, soy, and corn farms, showcasing high-yield agronomic practices and efficient irrigation systems.
Speaking during the mission, Governor Namadi emphasized its economic significance.
“This is more than a study tour; it is a critical step toward job creation and increasing our Internally Generated Revenue,” he said.
“By adapting these Argentine industrial models, Jigawa State will transition from subsistence farming to a commercially driven, export-oriented agricultural economy.”
The governor is accompanied by key members of his technical team, including the Honourable Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Abdurrahman Salim Lawal, and the Director General of the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), Dr. Saifullahi Umar.
The mission is expected to culminate in formal joint ventures and technical partnerships, paving the way for immediate implementation at El-Meena Farms and across Jigawa State’s agricultural clusters.
