Nigeria’s Katsina State considers establishing agricultural research center
The authorities of Nigeria’s Katsina State are considering establishing their own state agricultural research center after a delegation from the local Ministry of Agriculture reviewed the work of the Jigawa Research Institute. Five officials studied the institution’s operations over two days on the instructions of State Governor Umaru Dikko Radda, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
The delegation was led by Katsina State Commissioner for Agriculture Aliyu Lawan Zakari Shargalle. It also included the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Abdullahi Ibrahim Tsiga, KTARDA Managing Director Abubakar Dabo, Director of Agricultural Services Mansir Suleiman, and Director of Planning Samaila Suleiman.
Seeds and soil mapping
Katsina representatives studied the institute’s activities, facilities, research farms, laboratories, and development model. In particular, they reviewed work on seeds and seed multiplication, including maize production, as well as local basmati rice production in Kazaure.
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Shargalle said he was particularly interested in soil mapping, which he described as a key area of the research institution’s work. According to him, such work could contribute to more informed fertilizer use. The commissioner said Katsina intends to adopt some of the practices observed in Jigawa during the next agricultural season.
Possible cooperation between states
The commissioner said the delegation would report the visit’s results to the Katsina governor and seek permission to establish a partnership with the Jigawa Research Institute. According to him, officials also plan to obtain documents, video materials, the law, and other materials to assess the possibilities of establishing their own research institution.
The institute’s Director General, Dr. Suleiman Rufai Babura, said the delegation was shown research farms, laboratories, and other facilities. According to him, the visitors inspected all six laboratories and received information about the establishment of the research institute.
