The Open Government Partnership in Jigawa State has called on the state government to urgently distribute agricultural machinery and extension motorcycles to farmers and field workers, warning that further delay undermines the impact of these investments. In a statement released by co-chair Isah Mustapha, the group acknowledged the government’s increased budget allocation for agriculture—rising from under five percent to between ten and twelve percent—and the creation of new ministries and agencies to enhance farming and livestock activities.
The OGP praised the procurement of large-scale farming equipment and the establishment of mechanization centers across all thirty constituencies, calling it a major step toward modernizing agriculture. However, it expressed alarm that the equipment remains undistributed, leaving assets vulnerable to weather while farmers face high production costs and limited access to mechanized services. With over ninety percent of Jigawa’s population depending on agriculture, timely deployment could improve productivity, cut costs, and strengthen food security, the group argued.
The statement also highlighted the recruitment of more than nine hundred agricultural extension workers under the J-AGROG initiative, but noted that motorcycles meant for their field operations have reportedly been stored for nearly a year. The OGP warned that continued delays could diminish extension services’ effectiveness and lead to higher maintenance expenses if the motorcycles deteriorate before use. It therefore urged immediate distribution to ensure public funds translate into real benefits for farming communities and support the state’s goals of economic growth and sustainable agriculture.