By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse
The Jigawa State Government has entered into a strategic partnership with CornTech Seeds Private Limited of India aimed at transforming agricultural productivity through the use of advanced hybrid seed technology.
Governor Umar Namadi received a high-powered delegation from the Indian agro-tech company led by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Venkateswarlu Yaganti, at the Government House, Dutse, where both parties signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC).
The agreement follows an agricultural investment tour by a Jigawa delegation to India earlier in May, during which discussions with CornTech Seeds identified priority areas for collaboration.
Under the new framework, the company will supply innovative hybrid seed varieties of maize, rice, wheat, and vegetables; conduct multi-location trials across Jigawa; and collaborate on research to develop seed varieties suited to the state’s climate.
In addition, the partnership provides for training of farmers and extension workers, post-harvest management support, and facilitation of CornTech’s entry into the wider Nigerian agricultural market through Feredo Agro & Bio Farms Ltd, its local partner.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Namadi described the partnership as a turning point for Jigawa’s agricultural transformation.
“This collaboration will be a win-win situation. Jigawa has the land, the people, and the market. What we need now is modern technology, and CornTech has the expertise,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Venkateswarlu Yaganti noted that Jigawa is well-positioned to replicate India’s agricultural transformation.
“The agricultural transformation of India can be replicated in Jigawa much faster with modern communication and information technology,” he stated.
The MoC, signed by Mr. Yaganti for CornTech and Dr. Saifullahi Umar, Director-General of the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), on behalf of the state government, will run for an initial period of three years, subject to renewal by mutual consent.
The partnership is expected to significantly improve crop yields, strengthen food security, and uplift the livelihoods of thousands of farmers across Jigawa State, aligning with Governor Namadi’s 12-Point Agenda for agricultural transformation and sustainable development.