The government of Liberia has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Jigawa State in boosting rice production as part of efforts to strengthen agricultural development and food security in both regions.
Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture, Madam Josephine Cooper, made this known during a courtesy visit to Governor Umar Namadi at the Government House in Dutse on Wednesday. She said the West African nation was impressed by Jigawa’s success in large-scale rice farming and was eager to learn from its strategies, technology adoption, and irrigation systems.
According to Cooper, Liberia is seeking technical cooperation in seed production, mechanisation, and farmer training. She noted that rice remains a staple in Liberia, but local production has been unable to meet demand, leading to heavy reliance on imports.
“Jigawa has become a model in rice cultivation, and we believe that by sharing knowledge, technology, and investment opportunities, we can achieve mutual growth in our agricultural sectors,” she said.
Governor Namadi welcomed the partnership proposal, saying Jigawa was open to working with Liberia in research exchange, irrigation infrastructure, and capacity building for farmers.
He added that the state’s ongoing drive to boost agricultural output aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s national food security agenda.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of establishing joint rice processing plants and facilitating trade between Jigawa and Liberia to enhance value addition and market access.
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