By Sunusi Usaini Madobi
The Jigawa State Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO), a government owned company, is vested with the responsibility of selling certified seeds, chemical, fertilizer, agro allied equipment and other agricultural products. The company is located along Kiyawa road in Dutse, under the credible leadership of its general manager a renowned agriculturalist, Alhaji Hassan Girbobo. Over the years, the company has excelled in the discharge of its mandate.
The company, with branches across the state, has introduced numerous programmes to ensure the sale of genuine agricultural products and equally purchase agricultural produce from farmers so as to stabilize their prices in order to encourage and enhance profitable agriculture.
The company played a significant role in the success recorded by the state government in rice and wheat production, as farmers doubled their yield due to good seedlings and modern agricultural implements purchased from the company at cheap and affordable prices.
Agricultural sector is the back bone of the Jigawa state government economic transformation agenda as such the company was re-capitalized with millions of naira to enable it operate in accordance with Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).
With a population of 4.6 million, land mass of 22,416 square kilometer, agricultural sector is the greatest employer of labour and the largest contributor to Jigawa state gross domestic product with over 80 percent of the populace predominantly farmers.
Hadejia valley irrigation project, Miga Agufa agricultural scheme, Dembo dam in Kazaure, Waza Jangargari agricultural scheme, and UNESCO world heritage center in Baturiya are important agricultural and tourism potentials, which can create wealth and generate employment to thousands of people in the state.
The sector is receiving priority attention from the present administration in the state, through adequate funding n the 2017 budget, and creating an enabling environment in addition to policy framework for both domestic and international investors to invest in the sector. Notable among them are Dangote rice out grower scheme at Hago in Kafin Hausa local government, Lee Group sugarcane processing in Gagagrawa axis, Erisco Food and Beverage at Taura. Recently, Bua Group indicated interest to engage in rice production and milling along Hadejia valley while Senator Ali Ndume has equally indicated interest to invest in the sector.
Jigawa State Agrricultural Supply Company is a major player in agricultural transformation agenda. In a weekly meeting chaired by Governor Baduru Abubakar with agricultural experts, representatives of commercial banks, and other key players to discuss extensively on how to move Jigawa agricultural sector forward, JASCO played a significant role role as a government owned company saddled with responsibility of sales and procurement of certified and genuine agricultural products in accordance with the enabling law stablishing the company. The injection of more funds by the present administration has enhanced service delivery with competency and credibility.
Must of the customers interviewed who purchase agricultural products fom the company expressed joy and gratitude for the improved variety of seedlings and other agricultural products sold by the company at cheaper and affordable prices, describing it as worthy of commendation.
Agricultural research institutions, large scale farmers, agricultural associations and other key players in the sector have commended the effort of the company for the introduction of numerous agricultural programmes in line with international best practice, which contributed greatly to the development of modern farming in Jigawa State in a competitive and research based way.
People from neighboring states are trooping to JASCO stores to purchase agricultural products. Jigawa, in Northwest geopolitical zone, is an agrarian state with vast land for rainy and irrigation farming, which modern research proved to be one of the best in the Sahelian region
Training and retraining is one of the cardinal principles of JASCO to equip staff with modern trend in financing agriculture.
Thus, the staff are capable and vast in the discharge of their legitimate duties due to their rigorous training.
The company has encouraged and enhanced the development of government’s investments as one of the governments own companies working efficiently to justified the confidence reposed on them through the utilization of scarce resources to minimize expenditure and earn more money.
An nteresting aspect of the company is the integration of all key players in running the affairs of the company, as its board, under Alhaji Yaro Yusif, an agronomist, convened a meeting to discuss issues that would enhance the activities of the company in terms of investment, sales, and allied issues in line with contemporary agricultural supply companies across the globes.
The State Ministry of Agriculture which is the supervising ministry of the company works harmoniously in all ramifications.
Credit must be given to the company for the success recorded in the shortest period of time, despite all odds. The determination, commitment, zeal and concern are also value cherished by the company.
On visit to JASCO stores sited in all local governments in the state one would be impressed with adequate materials stocked in them in addition to unique arrangements and sound policies to attract numerous customers with confidence and trust.
In conclusion, we congratulate the management of JASCO for the significant achievements recorded and equally urge the entire farming communities in Jigawa State to continue patronizing the company in the purchase of agricultural products.
Sunusi Madobi wrote from Dutse