New HJRBDA Boss Outlines Agenda For Agric Growth, Youth Empowerment
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The newly-appointed Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, has pledged to deliver sweeping reforms across agriculture, water resource management and youth empowerment.
These,Bichi said, are in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at a formal handover ceremony, the managing director expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting him with the leadership of the authority.
He pledged to promote food security, environmental sustainability and youth development across Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi States.
“This moment is not just a personal milestone, it signifies our collective commitment to national development and community well-being,” he said.
Bichi also extended his appreciation to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, whose support he described as vital to advancing the administration’s agricultural vision.
Outlining his roadmap, the new HJRBDA boss introduced a series of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to guide operations over the next four years.
These include Water Resource Management by 20% boost in water-use efficiency through Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and optimized irrigation systems; Increasing coverage from 54,000 to 240,000 hectares, aimed at raising paddy rice production from 216,000 tonnes to 1 million tonnes.
“The goal is to bridge the gap between millers’ demand (7 million tonnes) and current national output (4 million tonnes); Dam Rehabilitation to enhancing dam water retention capacity via de-silting and other remedial actions; Crop Yield Improvement projected 30% year-on-year increase in yields through modern farming practices and improved irrigation technology; Community Satisfaction targeting 85% satisfaction among local stakeholders, achieved through inclusive planning and a comprehensive basin management strategy.
“A key focus of the administration is youth empowerment, with plans to train at least 5,000 youths across the three beneficiary states in areas such as modern irrigation, beekeeping, horticulture, greenhouse farming, hydroponics, and fodder production.
“The youth are central to unlocking our agricultural potential. With the right skills and innovation, they can overcome the challenges of climate change and low productivity,” he said.
He said the training programme would cover technical Skills in irrigation installation and maintenance; Sustainable Agricultural Practices, such as soil conservation and crop rotation; Entrepreneurship, with modules in business management and market access; Community Engagement, to encourage cross-cultural knowledge-sharing and cooperation.
“The Authority also aims to strengthen the agricultural value chain, from production to marketing, by fostering partnerships with local businesses and access to finance.
“We will work with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), NASENI, and the Ministry for Livestock to support our farmers and trainees,” the managing director said.
The new leadership also pledged support for Her Excellency,the First Lady,Mrs Remi Tinubu’s “Every Home a Garden” initiative, describing it as a transformative movement that aligned with HJRBDA’s mission.
“We will drive this vision across Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi States, focusing on food security, environmental sustainability, and community well-being,” he noted.
Addressing the internal workforce, the MD outlined plans for improved staff welfare and transparent postings, anchored on merit and bureaucratic standards.
“We aim to create a supportive environment that boosts morale, increases productivity, and fosters trust among employees,” he said, adding that cooperation—not confrontation—would be the guiding principle.
He acknowledged the efforts of the former HJRBDA leadership, assuring continuity of impactful initiatives while building on areas that need improvement.
“Together—with government, NGOs, the private sector, and community leaders—we can build a resilient agricultural future for the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin.We are not just investing in agriculture; we are investing in prosperity, peace, and progress,” he added.