Jigawa State Moves to Finalize Design of Landmark Agribusiness Incubation Programme

Jigawa State Moves to Finalize Design of Landmark Agribusiness Incubation Programme

DUTSE, JIGAWA – October 10, 2025 — The Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency (Jigawa-ATA) convened a pivotal validation workshop to finalize the strategic design of the Jigawa Agribusiness Incubation Programme (AIP) — a transformative project expected to redefine agribusiness development across the state.

Held at the 3-Star Hotel in Dutse, the workshop brought together key government officials, private sector leaders, and development partners to review and enrich the findings of a comprehensive scoping and feasibility study conducted by Agrighar Services Limited, an Indian agribusiness firm collaborating with the state government.

The event marked another milestone in the partnership that began with the Jigawa-India Trade Mission in May 2025, evolving from shared aspirations into a concrete, evidence-based action plan for implementation.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Saifullahi Umar, Director General of Jigawa-ATA, highlighted the collaborative spirit that has driven the initiative.

“This gathering marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards revolutionizing the agricultural landscape of our dear state,” he said. “Today is about sharing insights with you—the key actors and beneficiaries—to ensure that the path we chart is one of shared vision and collective ownership. Our desired outcome is a concrete roadmap that will guide the successful implementation of an incubation program that will empower our youth and women, create jobs, and transform Jigawa State.”

The workshop was attended by top government functionaries, including Special Advisers to the Governor, Mallam Gambo Ibrahim Aliyu and Mohammed Idris Danzomo, reaffirming the strong political backing behind the programme.

Dr. Sowmini Sunkara, Managing Director of Agrighar Services Limited, presented the findings of the feasibility study, which provided a detailed analysis of Jigawa’s agricultural ecosystem, high-potential value chains, and the specific needs of emerging agripreneurs.

The sessions also featured active contributions from representatives of academia, financial institutions, regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC and SON, and leaders from the Jigawa Chamber of Commerce, the Jigawa Association of Small Scale Industries, processors, and farmer cooperatives.

The validated framework of the Jigawa Agribusiness Incubation Programme is designed to be both inclusive and practical — providing targeted support to address critical gaps in the agricultural value chain. The programme will equip entrepreneurs with skills training, mentorship, access to finance, modern technologies, and market linkages, thereby fostering a new generation of agribusiness innovators.

With the strategic direction and operational framework now finalized, Jigawa-ATA and its partners are set to move into the implementation phase, with the official launch of the Agribusiness Incubation Programme planned for early 2026.