The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) will procure 5 million date plant seedlings to be distributed among 11 states in the federation to create shelter belts and boost commercial date production in the country.
The Director General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Alhaji Sale Abubakar, disclosed this when he led a delegation from the agency on a courtesy visit to the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammad Hameem Nuhu, in his palace.
Alhaji Sale Abubakar informed the Emir that his agency had sealed a deal with Suleiman Farms and Agro-Allied Company Limited for the production of the 5 million date plant seedlings to be procured and distributed for shelter belts and commercial production.
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According to him, “We were in the state to inspect the seedlings before finally collecting and distributing them to the beneficiary states. Dutse has excelled in date production.”
He added, “We realized that 20 of the date seedlings can generate about N12 million annually when the seedlings begin bearing fruit in the next few years.”
The Director General noted that, apart from providing shelter belts to control desertification, the date plantations would also contribute to national economic growth, estimated at N300 billion annually once the fruits are produced in the next few years.
“The five million date seedlings will be distributed to 11 selected states to boost commercial date production, which will significantly increase the country’s income generation and position the nation as a major exporter of dates,” he said.
Alhaji Sale Abubakar commended the Emir and the Dutse Emirate for their hospitality and sought the royal blessings and continued good working relations between the palace and the agency.
In his remarks, the Emir of Dutse, His Highness Alhaji Hameem Sanusi, applauded the agency for exploring the potentials of Jigawa State and called on other relevant agencies in the country to come to Jigawa for the proper utilization of available resources to promote agriculture and boost the nation’s economy.
The monarch reflected on his father, the late Emir Muhammadu Sanusi, who was passionate about exploring new date farming techniques and sent delegations to Morocco to adopt innovative ideas.
He described the consultant, Alh. Bashir Aminu, as a patriotic citizen of the Dutse Emirate and Jigawa State, commending him as an industrialist and entrepreneur who has dedicated his time to serving humanity.
Alhaji Hameem pledged continued support for the agency and other bodies exploring Jigawa State’s potential for the country’s benefit.
Also speaking, the consultant for the date seedlings project in Jigawa State, Alh. Bashir Aminu (Dan Amar Dutse) and a member of the Dutse Emirate Council, commended the agency for its efforts, highlighting that Jigawa State boasts about 150 species of dates, a feat many countries cannot match.
Alh. Bashir Aminu, who is also the Chairman/CEO of Suleiman Farms and Agro-Allied Company Limited, welcomed all interested parties willing to support the vast production of dates in Jigawa State.
He explained that his company, Suleiman Farms and Agro-Allied Company Ltd., can produce a significant number of date seedlings to commercialize date farming in the country.
Other highlights of the visit by the DG NAGGW and his entourage to Jigawa included the inspection of pre-nurseries of date plants and the date plantation at Suleiman Farms.
