Jigawa governor leads Argentina mission to scale forage farming and agribusiness

NIGERIA – Nigerian Governor Umar Namadi is leading a technical learning mission to Argentina as Jigawa State steps up plans to grow forage production and agribusiness across northern Nigeria.

The visit, held with El Meena Farms Limited and international partners including Saudi Arabia’s Alkhorayef Group, focuses on the alfalfa value chain. The team is spending time in Córdoba Province, where semi-arid conditions mirror those in northern Nigeria and support large-scale forage farming.

In Córdoba, the delegation toured alfalfa soy and corn fields to study crop management and irrigation practices that sustain steady yields in dry climates. The team also visited Biofarma S.A., a leading animal nutrition firm, to review livestock health and feeding practices that support higher output.

At the Nafosa and Pellfood plants, the group examined mega-baling, high-density compaction, and pelleting systems that enable forage to move from farm to feed market at scale. These visits aim to guide Jigawa’s shift toward organised production that meets local demand and export needs.

“This mission is not merely a study tour; it is a foundational step toward creating jobs and boosting the Internally Generated Revenue of our state,” Governor Namadi said. “By adopting these Argentine industrial blueprints, we are ensuring that Jigawa State moves from traditional farming to a commercial, export-focused system.”

Adapting the cluster approach

Argentina’s cluster approach links smallholder farmers to shared processing and logistics centres. Farmers work within defined zones around industrial sites that offer machinery access, seed support, and extension services. Central processing helps standardise output and meet strict health rules for export.

Governor Namadi travelled with the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Abdurrahman Salim Lawal, and the Director General of the Jigawa Agriculture Transformation Agency, Dr Saifullahi Umar. The team plans to apply lessons from the visit to El Meena Farms and across Jigawa’s planned farm clusters.

Beyond state-level gains, the mission carries trade importance. Argentina supplies large volumes of feed to Gulf states, which rely on imports to support their poultry and dairy sectors. Its cluster-linked facilities also support the export of halal-certified meat and feed to markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

Jigawa officials see similar links as a route to steady demand and foreign exchange. The mission is expected to conclude with joint ventures and technical agreements that enable a rapid rollout upon the team’s return to Nigeria.

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