Jigawa partners Indian firm to boost crop yields on hybrid seed tech

By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse

The Jigawa State Government has signed a strategic partnership with CornTech Seeds Private Limited of India to transform agricultural productivity through advanced hybrid seed technology.

Governor Umar Namadi on Monday received a delegation from CornTech led by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Venkateswarlu Yaganti, at Government House, Dutse, where both parties signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC).

The deal followed an agricultural investment mission to India in May, during which Jigawa officials engaged CornTech on key areas of collaboration.

Under the pact, CornTech will supply hybrid seed varieties for maize, rice, wheat, and vegetables. It will also conduct multi-location trials in Jigawa and work with state researchers to develop climate-resilient seed varieties.

The partnership further provides for training of farmers and extension workers, post-harvest management, and CornTech’s entry into the wider Nigerian market through Feredo Agro & Bio Farms Ltd, its local partner.

Governor Namadi hailed the agreement as a major milestone in Jigawa’s agricultural agenda.

“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,” the governor stated.

In his remarks, Mr Yaganti stressed Jigawa’s potential to replicate India’s agricultural progress.

“The agricultural transformation of India can be replicated in Jigawa much faster with modern communication and information technology,” he declared.

The MoC, signed by Mr Yaganti on behalf of CornTech and Dr Saifullahi Umar, Director-General of the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency (JATA), will run for an initial three years, subject to renewal.