The statement reads “the Rice Millionaire Project is more than just a response to unemployment—it is a well-planned strategy to reverse the trend of youth migration to urban areas, while improving livelihoods and food security in Jigawa State. This innovative approach to youth empowerment in agriculture has the potential to create lasting change, both in terms of economic prosperity and sustainable agricultural practices.
“For the initiative to be truly successful, however, continued attention is required from His Excellency, Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi, particularly in addressing the underlying factors driving youth migration to urban centers. Key challenges such as lack of access to credit, low profitability in agriculture, and capacity limitations must be continuously addressed. By improving these constraints, the state can ensure that youth in agriculture can compete with urban job prospects and be inspired to remain and succeed in their rural communities.
“In conclusion, the Jigawa State Government’s Rice Millionaire Project stands as a model for other states, demonstrating the transformative power of targeted interventions in youth empowerment, agriculture, and rural development. With the right policies and continued support, this initiative has the potential to secure not just the future of young people in Jigawa, but also the state’s role as a leader in Nigeria’s rice value chain sect
“Youth migration from rural agricultural areas to urban centers remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, despite the country’s vast agricultural potential. Empirical studies suggest that a combination of economic push factors—such as limited access to rural credit, unemployment, rural poverty, and inadequate labor opportunities—push young people away from rural areas. Meanwhile, economic pull factors, such as the allure of higher wages in urban employment, continue to draw the youth to cities.
“In the face of this troubling trend, it is concerning that youth involvement in agriculture, particularly in rural communities, has remained relatively low despite various interventions and opportunities within the agricultural value chain. This can largely be attributed to a lack of proper career guidance, inadequate skills training, limited access to resources, and the absence of supportive policies. These challenges are unfortunately widespread across many states in Nigeria.
“To counteract these issues and transform the narrative, the Jigawa State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi, has launched an innovative and commendable initiative: the Rice Millionaire Project under Jigawa Agricultural Support Programme (J-AGRO). This forward-thinking initiative aims to address the fundamental challenges hindering youth engagement in agriculture, while also promoting food security and economic growth within the state.
“The Rice Millionaire Project sets out to transform 1,100 young people from across the state into successful entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, with a specific focus on rice seed cultivation. . This will not only increase the state’s rice production capacity but also strengthens the bid for actualization of self-sufficiency and affordability of high-quality rice.
“The second objective of the project is to produce 4,400 metric tons of high-quality rice seed, which will be distributed to farmers across Jigawa State at affordable prices. This is a significant step toward ensuring that local farmers have access to quality seeds, making the state a leader in rice seed production in Nigeria.
“Perhaps most impressively, the project’s design includes comprehensive training, an input package, and market linkages to empower the participating youth. As a result, the Rice Millionaire Project will not only address unemployment but will also provide the necessary tools for young entrepreneurs to thrive in the agricultural sector. By creating direct employment for 1,100 youth and indirectly benefiting over 3,000 others, this initiative has the potential to generate significant economic benefits. Over the course of just one cycle, the project aims to create 1,100 “young millionaires” in the state, further proving its transformative impact.” It stated .