The Jigawa State Government has sent 65 students to China for postgraduate studies in agriculture and related fields as part of efforts to strengthen agricultural research, improve farming productivity and develop specialised skills in the state.

The scholars, comprising 50 master’s students and 15 PhD candidates, are travelling under the second phase of the Jigawa-China Agricultural Capacity Cooperation Programme, which operates through a bilateral scholarship arrangement with the Chinese government.

Governor Umar Namadi described the initiative as a major step in his administration’s efforts to develop skilled manpower and transform agriculture, stressing that the sector requires scientific research, innovation and modern technology to deliver better results.

Speaking at the farewell ceremony for the departing scholars, Namadi said the programme aligns with his administration’s 12-Point Agenda, particularly its commitment to human capital development.

He said agricultural development must go hand in hand with investment in the people equipped to drive improvements in production, research and technology.

The programme is being implemented by the Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Agency in collaboration with the state Ministry of Higher Education.

Under the arrangement, the 50 master’s students will undertake three-year postgraduate programmes, while the 15 doctoral candidates will spend five years on their PhD studies.

Their courses cover several areas considered important to Jigawa’s agricultural needs, including crop science, soil and water conservation, desertification control, agricultural engineering, food science, animal genetics, poultry breeding, pest control and plant pathology.

Other areas include forest ecology, vegetable science, aquatic science, environmental engineering and rural development, including rural finance and insurance.

Namadi also highlighted his administration’s efforts to strengthen the Jigawa State Agricultural Research Institute, with the ambition of developing it into one of Nigeria’s leading state-owned agricultural research institutions.

He said the government was supporting research into crops that are particularly important to the state, including sesame, wheat, rice and hibiscus.

According to the governor, the research is intended to identify practical ways to increase crop yields, improve farmers’ earnings and strengthen their livelihoods, particularly among smallholder farmers.

The administration also plans to send another 16 students to China after their study programmes, initially scheduled to take place in Russia, were redirected because of the security situation there. Namadi said the students were expected to depart soon.

Beyond agriculture, the governor said his administration was investing in education, information and communication technology and other critical sectors, describing investment in people as central to sustainable development.

He urged the departing students to remain focused on their studies, respect the laws and culture of China, and conduct themselves responsibly as representatives of Jigawa State and Nigeria.

Namadi further reminded the scholars that their education was being funded with public resources and that they would be expected to return home after completing their programmes and apply their acquired knowledge and skills to the development of the state.