March 13, 2026
By Editor
Governor Malam Umar Namadi, on Thursday, advanced two significant initiatives aimed at strengthening livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities in Jigawa State. He launched the Third Phase of the Civil Servants’ Agricultural Support Programme and unveiled the FADAMA J-CARES 1.0 Completion Report.
These initiatives represent billions of naira in targeted investments supporting agriculture, economic recovery, and community resilience, positively impacting thousands of beneficiaries.
In his address during the launch of the workers’ agricultural support initiative under the 2026 Dry Season Rice Production Programme, Governor Namadi described the intervention as a strategic effort to empower civil servants to engage actively in agriculture, thereby improving household income and long-term financial stability.
The Civil Servants’ Agricultural Support Program, first introduced in July 2024, aims to provide access to quality agricultural inputs at controlled prices and working capital through soft loans with flexible repayment schedules. The program has recorded strong loan repayment performance, helping civil servants improve their livelihoods and prepare for a fulfilling life post-retirement.
According to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Hamisu Muhammed Gumel, Governor Namadi revealed that the first phase supported 8,432 beneficiaries with over ₦3.03 billion in assistance, while the second phase benefited 5,750 civil servants with nearly ₦1.26 billion. The third phase will support approximately 3,000 beneficiaries with over ₦1.6 billion, bringing the total investment to more than ₦5.9 billion and the total number of beneficiaries to over 17,000 civil servants.
The Governor emphasized that these figures represent substantial investment in agriculture, impacting thousands of families and fostering a growing agricultural economy in Jigawa State. The program provides quality agricultural inputs at controlled prices, alongside flexible soft loans with extended repayment periods. Improvements in transparency and efficiency, such as digital profiling of beneficiaries and GPS-based verification, have been introduced to enhance the initiative.
The focus on dry-season rice farming is a deliberate strategy to bolster Nigeria’s food security and reduce dependence on imports.
At a separate event later in Dutse, the Governor unveiled the FADAMA J-CARES 1.0 Compendium and Completion Report, marking the conclusion of the program implemented with support from the World Bank. The Jigawa COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (J-CARES) Programme aimed to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other shocks by supporting vulnerable households, farmers, and micro and small enterprises.
Governor Namadi highlighted the program’s significant results, reaching over 47,800 beneficiaries in more than 1,200 hard-to-reach communities across all 287 political wards in Jigawa State. The initiative involved an investment of over ₦4.6 billion, providing essential agricultural inputs and productive assets to beneficiaries.
He shared success stories of beneficiaries whose lives have been transformed through the initiative, emphasizing that empowering citizens with the right tools and training enables them to break the cycle of poverty.
Governor Namadi underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in program implementation, noting his administration’s reforms in beneficiary selection and digital monitoring.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, the World Bank, and the program’s implementation teams for their partnership and dedication. “As we conclude J-CARES 1.0, this marks not an ending, but a new beginning,” he stated. The initiative aligns with his administration’s 12-Point Agenda and the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF).
The Governor formally unveiled the J-CARES 1.0 Compendium and Completion Report, describing it as a testament to the achievements made through strong partnerships, innovation, and a shared commitment to improving citizens’ lives.
