The Jigawa state government has trained 400 unemployed youths in hybrid date palm cultivation and processing, a programme officials say will provide jobs and boost agricultural output in the northwestern state.
Governor Umar Namadi announced the initiative at a graduation ceremony on Monday at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Dutse, saying it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to create opportunities for young people.
“This project is aimed at giving our youths a sustainable means of livelihood while reducing unemployment,” Namadi said.
Mustapha Makama, Jigawa’s chief of staff and chair of the project committee, said about 10,000 hybrid seedlings had been secured. “Governor Namadi has ordered that free seedlings should be planted, free watering materials and free mentorship be offered to the trained youths,” he told attendees.
Makama added that more than 2,000 youths would benefit in subsequent batches.
Abdulhamid Hamza, state coordinator of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), said the hybrid seedlings were capable of producing high yields. “The seedlings can produce over 70 kilos for a start and can generate 7 million naira (\$4,600) monthly if well taken care of,” he said.
Sulaiman Rufai, director-general of the Jigawa State Institute of Research, said the government had allocated 1,042 hectares of land for the project and planned to train 2,084 youths.
One beneficiary, Musa Abdullahi, said the training had revealed the economic potential of the crop. “We have all learnt that date palm can be processed in four varieties of juice, syrup, powder, and the seeds can produce coffee,” he said.