Date Palm to the Rescue: Jigawa Empowers 400 Youths with Farming Skills and Support

The Jigawa State Government has taken a significant step towards tackling youth unemployment by training and empowering 400 youths in date-palm cultivation. This initiative aims to boost income for rural farmers, support economic diversification, and combat desertification in the region.

Key Highlights:

• Training and Support: The youths will receive technical training on planting, nurturing, and managing date-palm trees to maximize yield and income. Each trainee will be responsible for managing half a hectare of date-palm trees, totaling 200 trees in designated clusters.
• Monthly Allowance: Beneficiaries will receive a monthly allowance for two years to support them while they develop their farms into profitable ventures.
• Industrial Boreholes: The government will also provide industrial boreholes to support irrigation and other farming needs.
• Land Allocation: Over 1,040 hectares of land have been allocated for the project, with a target of training over 2,000 youths in date production.

Benefits:

• Increased Income: Date-palm cultivation can provide a significant source of income for the youths, improving their livelihoods and contributing to the state’s economy.
• Job Creation: The initiative is expected to create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in Jigawa State.
• Partnership: The Jigawa State Government has partnered with a Saudi Arabian date palm production group and Netay Agro-Tech to boost date palm production in the state, introducing advanced agricultural expertise and technology transfer.

Youths’ Reaction:

• Gratitude: The beneficiaries have expressed gratitude for the initiative, saying it has given them hope and a chance to build a better future.
• Optimism: They are optimistic that the skills acquired will help them create job opportunities and contribute to the economic growth of Jigawa State.