AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION: JIGAWA SENDS 65 SCHOLARS TO CHINA FOR ADVANCED TRAINING
In continuation of its drive for agricultural transformation, the Jigawa State Government is sending 65 scholars to the People’s Republic of China for postgraduate studies in agriculture and related disciplines under the second phase of its agricultural capacity development programme.
The scholars include 50 Master’s students and 15 PhD candidates selected under the Jigawa–China Agricultural Capacity Cooperation Programme, secured through the bilateral scholarship framework of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
The programme is being implemented through the Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Higher Education.
Speaking at the farewell ceremony for the scholars, Governor Malam Umar Namadi said the initiative was another important step in the administration’s commitment to human capital development and agricultural transformation.
“Today’s event represents another important step in the implementation of our 12-Point Agenda, particularly our commitment to human capital development,” he said.
According to Governor Namadi agricultural transformation requires sustained investment in skilled manpower, scientific research, innovation and technology.
“Our commitment to human capital development and agricultural transformation must go hand in hand. We cannot transform agriculture without developing the manpower required to drive that transformation. Equally, we cannot achieve meaningful progress in agriculture without embracing science, research, innovation and technology.”
Under the programme, the 50 master’s students will undertake three-year full postgraduate programmes, while the 15 doctoral candidates will pursue five-year PhD programmes.
Their fields of study cover a broad range of disciplines relevant to the state’s agricultural development priorities, including soil and water conservation, desertification control, forest ecology, vegetable science, crop science, crop genetics and breeding, agricultural entomology and pest control, plant pathology, agricultural engineering, food science and engineering, animal genetics and breeding, poultry genetics and breeding, aquatic science, environmental science and engineering, and rural and regional development, including rural finance and insurance.
Governor Namadi emphasised the importance of strengthening agricultural research institutions, highlighting his administration’s efforts to transform the Jigawa State Agricultural Research Institute into one of the leading state-owned agricultural research institutions in Nigeria.
The Governor further stated that his administration had continued to sponsor local agricultural research on crops particularly important to Jigawa State, including sesame, wheat, rice and hibiscus.
He explained that the research aimed to identify practical ways to enhance crop production and yields, boost farmers’ earnings, and strengthen their livelihoods.
“We want to understand how research can help farmers produce more, increase their earnings and improve their livelihoods. Ultimately, when we improve the yield of smallholder farmers, we also improve their incomes,” he said.
The governor further disclosed that another group of 16 students, whose programmes were initially scheduled to take place in Russia, would have their studies transferred to China due to the security situation there. He anticipated that the students would leave soon.
He noted that his administration’s investment in human capital extended beyond agriculture to education, information and communication technology, and other critical sectors, stressing that investment in people remained central to sustainable development.
Addressing the departing scholars, Governor Namadi urged them to remain focused on their academic programmes, respect the laws and culture of their host country, and conduct themselves responsibly as ambassadors of Jigawa State and Nigeria.
“The resources being invested in you are public funds—taxpayers’ money entrusted to us for the development of our people.
“You must therefore see yourselves as having a responsibility to the people of Jigawa State. When you complete your studies and return, we expect you to put your acquired knowledge and skills to work in the service of our state and its people.”