NIRSAL Boosts Capacity of Wheat Farmers in Jigawa

James Emejo in Abuja

The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) Plc, said it has trained 706 farmer cluster leaders, and 355 extension agents under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP)/Wheat Cluster Project in Jigawa State.

Managing Director/Chief Executive, NIRSAL, Mr. Abbas Umar Masanawa, said the move seeks to deepen collaborations with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as well as support the food security agenda of the federal government.

He said the initiative enabled NIRSAL to deploy its expertise and experience to bear on the country’s pursuit of a bumper wheat harvest in 2024 year by enhancing the capacity of stakeholders.

He said participants from Kiyawa, Birnin Kudu, Ringim, Hadejia, and Kazaure took part in the first phase of the training sessions, which were held in four of the five emirates in the state.

The participants are expected to transmit the knowledge gained along with the training materials received to the members of their respective clusters.

Masanawa said, “The federal government has done precisely what it should; it has communicated its vision for food security in Nigeria, provided leadership, and is committing resources to back its vision. On our part, we are showing our readiness to support Jigawa State, and all other states, to walk the talk of the government.”

“Here, we are contributing our expertise by preparing these extension agents and farmers to make success out of this collective endeavour for Jigawa and Nigeria’s sake.”