by Vincent Ehiabhi

The Jigawa State Government proposed N4.4 billion as capital investment in agriculture in the 2013 Appropriation Bill submitted to the state’s House of Assembly by the Governor, Sule Lamido yesterday.

Lamido said the amount was provided for agricultural extension services, rehabilitation of irrigation fields, livestock and grazing lands development projects.

He explained that part of the amount would be spent on the procurement and distribution of fertilisers, seeds and other inputs to farmers.

The governor said that over N640 million out of the amount was earmarked for surface water-based irrigation development project at Miga-Jahun-Auyo-Hadejia River flood plains.

Lamido said that 25 hectares of irrigation fields would be established in each of the benefiting communities under a community-based participatory irrigation management scheme.

“It is envisaged that these initiatives will boost agricultural production and increased income to farmers,” he said.

Lamido had presented a N115 billion appropriation bill to the house for consideration. The proposed budget was made up of N57.2 billion recurrent and N60.2 capital expenditure, respectively.