Dr. Imam Isah Musa, an agricultural expert at the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has praised the Rice Millionaire Project launched by Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi in Jigawa State.
He described it as a strategic initiative for youth empowerment and agricultural transformation.
The project aims to cultivate 1,100 hectares of rice foundation seed, with each participant managing one hectare. It seeks to produce 4,400 metric tons of high-quality rice seed, creating direct jobs for 1,100 youths and benefiting over 3,000 others indirectly.
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Dr. Musa commended the initiative's holistic approach, which includes training, input support, and market linkages to ensure sustainability.
However, he urged the state government to address challenges such as limited credit access and low agricultural profitability to maximize the project's impact.
He emphasized that the initiative could serve as a model for other states looking to leverage agriculture for economic growth and youth engagement.