Agribusiness
Agriculture is the mainstay of Jigawa State’s economy as it contributes more than 60% of GDP and provides livelihood for close to 90% of the state`s population. The sector is robust and fast growing. Recent interventions of government are helping the state to move from subsistence to commercial farming. Investors are therefore welcome to tap into the agricultural investment revolution sweeping across the state.
Crop production
Jigawa State is one of the largest crops producing states in Nigeria. It is currently Nigeria’s largest producer of dates and hibiscus. The state is also the second largest producer of gum arabic and sesame, as well as being among the top 3 rice producing States.
Food Production and Processing
InvestJigawa welcomes investments in the entire value chain of crops suitable for the Jigawa State landscape. There is huge potential in terms of food processing. Already, food processing companies such as Sonia Foods Industries Limited and Erisco Foods Limited are in the process of establishing tomato paste factories. The factories are in different stages of completion.
Despite the fact that Jigawa State is highly competitive in rice, sesame, groundnut, wheat, soya beans, sugarcane and tomato production, the agriculture sector’s vast potentials are currently under-utilized. For example, only a fraction of the available irrigable land is being cultivated, and of the state’s Fadama land of approximately 400,000 ha, only about 25% has been developed. There are therefore tremendous opportunities for private sector investments in agriculture and agro-processing.
Livestock Production
Jigawa State, a major livestock producing region, has weather that is conducive for the rearing of animals, birds and fish thereby creating opportunities for the establishment of slaughterhouses, cold storage and transport facilities. Investors are also encouraged to venture into diary production, tannery development, animal feed mills, etc. The state has an appreciable livestock population – currently estimated at 3.06 million cattle, 5.6 million sheep and 6.6 million goats. The estimated population of poultry is 15.9 million. Jigawa State also has the largest livestock market in West Africa, located at Maigatari in Maigatari local government area.
