The Jigawa government says it will convert conventional irrigation pumps into Compressed Natural Gas (CNG-powered) pumps to cut farmers' production costs.
Gov. Umar Namadi said this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV).
He said that the state government was expanding its collaboration with the initiative to develop alternative energy infrastructure to support irrigation and agricultural production.
The governor said that energy costs accounted for over 50 per cent of farm expenditure, a trend which made agriculture less attractive.
“As of today, energy costs constitute more than 50 per cent of the operating expenses of our farmers,” he said.
Namadi highlighted that converting irrigation pumps from conventional energy sources to CNG would complement government subsidies on inputs and reduce the financial burden on farmers.
“On this initiative, the state government is ready to bear the cost of conversion for the targeted farms. For us, going into CNG is a matter of necessity,” he said.
According to Namadi, the intervention will support the state government’s dry-season wheat and rice cultivation programmes, which aim to strengthen food security and encourage agricultural productivity.
Namadi said his administration targeted 500,000 hectares for wheat and rice cultivation, with an estimated annual production of four million tonnes by 2030.
He said that the state government would provide land and other necessary support to facilitate smooth implementation of the initiative, including partnerships with investors.
Earlier, Ahmed described Jigawa as strategically positioned for the expansion of CNG infrastructure considering its location and availability of land and government’s interest in alternative energy development.
He said the initiative was being discussed with investors to establish a major alternative energy hub in the state, to serve vehicles and transporters operating along major routes.
The chairman said that the initiative, in collaboration with the Jigawa government, would set up 30 centres and an electric vehicle charging infrastructure to expand CNG conversion facilities in the state, as part of its broader alternative energy programme.
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