By Ibrahim Muhammad
The Jigawa State Government has opened discussions with an Egyptian-based plant research and development company, EFC Plants, for the introduction of advanced plant tissue culture technology to boost the production of date palms and Irish potatoes in the state.
Governor Umar Namadi led a state technical and investment delegation to Cairo, Egypt, where he inspected the company’s biotechnology and plant tissue-culture facilities as part of efforts to establish a technology-driven agricultural partnership.
The proposed partnership is expected to facilitate technology transfer, specialist training, research collaboration and local production of certified, disease-free and high-yielding planting materials.
During the visit, the delegation inspected EFC Plants’ climate-controlled greenhouses, cold-storage facilities with a capacity to handle up to six million plantlets, plant pathology laboratory, sterilisation and preparation facilities, as well as specialised growth and incubation rooms.
The delegation was also briefed on the tissue-culture production process, covering the selection and laboratory testing of mother plants, micropropagation, incubation, rooting, acclimatisation, greenhouse management, storage and preparation of plantlets for commercial distribution.
Speaking on the proposed partnership, Governor Namadi said the state was seeking a comprehensive technological and investment relationship rather than merely purchasing planting materials.
“Our proposed partnership with EFC Plants will go beyond the purchase of planting materials. We are seeking a comprehensive relationship that will deliver technology transfer, local capacity development, research collaboration, private investment and the commercial production of clean planting materials in Jigawa State,” he said.
The governor said the adoption of plant tissue culture and agricultural biotechnology would address some of the challenges farmers face in accessing quality planting materials.
According to him, the initiative would improve farmers’ access to high-quality date palm and potato planting materials, increase productivity, reduce dependence on imported materials and position Jigawa as a hub for biotechnology-supported agriculture.
Jigawa, he noted, has comparative advantages in date palm production due to its dry climate, extensive irrigable land, established farming tradition and access to major domestic markets.
The state also has potential to expand quality seed-potato production through the introduction of clean planting materials and modern production technologies.
Under the proposed arrangement, the state government is expected to work with EFC Plants, relevant state institutions, Nigerian private-sector partners and other investors to develop the initiative.
The immediate steps include a detailed technical assessment, feasibility study, site selection, preparation of a bankable business and implementation plan, as well as negotiation of an appropriate partnership framework.
The governor was accompanied on the Cairo mission by the Director-General of the Jigawa Research Institute, Dr. Suleiman Rufai Babura; Director-General of the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency, Dr. Saifullahi Umar; and Chief Executive Officer of Natay Agro Limited, Dr. Abubakar Isa Bamai.
The state government said the initiative formed part of its broader efforts to bring science, technology and private investment into agricultural production, with the objectives of increasing productivity, strengthening food security and creating opportunities in commercial agriculture, agro-processing, employment and exports.
The partnership, if concluded, could provide Jigawa farmers with locally produced clean planting materials while reducing dependence on imported planting materials and strengthening the state’s agricultural value chains.
