By Ali Rabiu Ali, Dutse
The Jigawa State Government has invested nearly N7 billion in its Workers Agricultural Support Programme (JSWAP), with over 17,000 civil servants benefiting from the revolving agricultural loan scheme since its inception.
The disclosure was made on Thursday during the flag-off of the 2026 Rainy Season Phase IV of the programme held at the Jigawa Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO) premises in Dutse.
Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi, represented by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Aminu Usman, said the initiative forms part of his administration’s 12-Point Agenda aimed at improving the economic wellbeing of civil servants while boosting food production across the state.
According to the governor, the programme has continued to empower workers through access to agricultural inputs and interest-free revolving loans, enabling them to engage in farming as an additional source of income and contribute to food security.
Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiation Council (JPSNC), Comrade Yusha’u Abubakar, said the state government had committed almost N7 billion to the programme from Phases I to III, describing it as one of the most successful workers’ agricultural interventions in the state’s history.
He disclosed that no fewer than 17,000 workers had benefited from the scheme in the previous phases, applauding Governor Namadi for what he described as a historic investment in both workers’ welfare and agricultural development.
According to him, the revolving nature of the programme has ensured sustainability, allowing more workers to benefit each farming season.
“We are proud to say that this is the most successful revolving loan programme in the history of Jigawa State,” Yusha’u said.
He also commended the Head of the Civil Service and Chairman of the Technical Committee, Alhaji Muhammad K. Dagaceri, for his leadership, commitment and transparency in managing the programme.
Yusha’u assured workers that the technical committee would continue to uphold accountability and prudent management to ensure the programme remained sustainable.
Earlier, the Chairman of the State Technical Committee and Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad K. Dagaceri, attributed the success of the initiative to Governor Namadi’s visionary leadership and commitment to workers’ welfare.
He said the impressive loan recovery recorded in the previous phases had enabled the programme to operate as a sustainable revolving fund, allowing government resources to be reused in supporting additional beneficiaries.
Dagaceri explained that the transparent management of the scheme had strengthened public confidence while promoting accountability and efficient utilization of government resources.
“The commencement of Phase IV for the 2026 rainy season further demonstrates Governor Namadi’s unwavering commitment to this laudable programme and his continuous support for the technical committee,” he said.
The event attracted top government officials, members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, labour leaders, permanent secretaries, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, as well as representatives of organised labour and civil servants from across the state.
