The Bauchi State Government has inaugurated a seven-member committee to coordinate the screening and distribution of starter packs and grants to 1,250 youths and women trained under its Innovative and Integrated Agricultural Value Chain and Agribusiness Programme.
Inaugurating the committee, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ilyasu Gital, said the initiative reflects the commitment of Governor Bala Mohammed to expanding economic opportunities through agriculture by equipping young people and women with the resources required to establish sustainable agribusiness enterprises.
According to Gital, the beneficiaries completed specialised agribusiness training in 2025 at the International Skill Acquisition Centre, CSS Farms, located along the Keffi–Abuja Expressway in Nasarawa State.
He explained that the support package, comprising starter packs and grants, is designed to enable participants to translate the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the training into profitable agricultural businesses.
The commissioner noted that the programme builds on an earlier phase that trained and supported 1,000 youths and women, many of whom have successfully established businesses across various agricultural value chains.
He said the latest intervention is expected to improve livelihoods, generate employment, boost food production and promote value addition within Bauchi State’s agricultural sector.
Gital further disclosed that, in recognition of prevailing economic conditions, Governor Bala Mohammed approved an enhanced support package to ensure beneficiaries receive sufficient assistance to successfully launch their enterprises.
Describing the initiative as a strategic investment in human capital and rural development, he said the programme aims to nurture a new generation of modern farmers, processors and agripreneurs capable of driving innovation, expanding market access and increasing agricultural productivity across the state.
The commissioner said the committee has been mandated to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the distribution process by verifying all 1,250 beneficiaries, organising them according to their respective local government areas, supervising disbursement across Bauchi State’s 20 local government areas, and ensuring beneficiaries personally receive their cheques.
He added that the committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report at the end of the exercise.
Gital urged members to carry out their responsibilities with fairness, professionalism and integrity, emphasising that only duly verified beneficiaries should receive support.
He also assured the committee of the ministry’s full support through logistics, data management and monitoring systems while encouraging collaboration with local government authorities, security agencies and community leaders to ensure a smooth and transparent exercise.
The committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ibrahim Yusha’u.
Other members include the Director of Agricultural Services, Babaji Maijamaa; Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Ibrahim Ishaku; representatives of the Accountant-General and Auditor-General of Bauchi State; Training Officer, Yusuf Madiya; and the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Shehu Yakubu, who serves as secretary.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Yusha’u expressed appreciation to the state government for the confidence reposed in its members, describing the assignment as critical to the success of the empowerment programme.
He pledged that the committee would conduct the screening and disbursement process with transparency, professionalism and strict adherence to the approved guidelines.
According to him, all stages of the exercise will be properly documented, with a detailed report submitted upon completion to capture compliance, outcomes and lessons that can strengthen future agricultural empowerment initiatives.
