Jigawa deepens agricultural ties with Indian seed firm to boost yields and research By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse

The Jigawa state government is stepping up international collaboration in agriculture, hosting a delegation from India-based CornTech Seeds as part of efforts to strengthen seed development, crop trials and research capacity.

The visit to Government House in Dutse marks the latest in a series of engagements between the parties, following earlier technical exchanges in India and Nigeria aimed at improving productivity and expanding support for farmers.

Jigawa state governor, Dr Umar Namadi being presented with gift by the Indian Agricultural firm Director in government house Dutse 

Talks focused on progress in ongoing seed trials, technology transfer, and joint research, with particular attention to staple crops including rice, wheat, maize and millet.

Governor Umar Namadi described the partnership as a long-term strategic relationship with the potential to transform agricultural output in the state and beyond.

“I was very pleased to learn of your visit. It gives me confidence that this partnership will succeed,” he said, adding that the state government remained fully committed to sustaining the collaboration.

Namadi pointed to encouraging early results from field trials, noting that improved crop varieties and technical support could significantly raise yields and strengthen local capacity.

“What we have heard about the performance of these varieties is a major breakthrough. Plans for training, capacity building and deploying technical staff to work with our people are especially welcome,” he said.

He also highlighted Jigawa’s role within Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, describing it as well positioned to serve as a hub for innovation across the north-west and the wider West African region.

CornTech Seeds’ managing director, Venkateswarlu Yaganti, said preliminary trials conducted with the Jigawa State Research Institute had produced promising outcomes, particularly for rice and wheat.

He noted that local Jigawa rice varieties tested at the company’s research facility in Hyderabad compared favourably with established strains and were being refined for large-scale seed production.

“Our objective goes beyond supplying seeds. We aim to demonstrate technologies that can improve productivity and support farmers with practical knowledge,” he said.

Yaganti outlined plans to deepen the partnership through local seed production, processing and storage infrastructure, as well as the deployment of technical personnel to support research and training programmes.

“Our long-term vision is to develop production technology within Jigawa, produce and process seeds locally, and distribute them across Nigeria and eventually West Africa,” he added.

Governor Namadi inspecting some of seedlings presented by the investors in government house Duste.

The director general of the Jigawa State Research Institute also confirmed that several trial varieties had adapted well to local conditions, describing the results as a positive step towards improving agricultural performance in the state.

The collaboration reflects a broader push by Jigawa to leverage international partnerships in modernising agriculture, enhancing food security and creating new economic opportunities for farmers.

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