Jigawa Premium Alfalfa Value-chain Programme

Public–Private Execution Engine for Large Scale Production, Processing, and Export

Jigawa El-Meena Farms (JEFs) is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) jointly established by the Jigawa State Government and El-Meena Farms Ltd to execute large-scale, export-grade forage production, processing, and fulfilment in Jigawa State, Nigeria.

2026
Programme Launch
1,000+
Hectares in Phase 1
100,000+
Target Hectares by 2035
Local, GCC & Global
Markets

Programme Snapshot

Phase 1 (2026–2027)

1,000-hectare SPV-operated core production estate

Phase 2 (2028–2029)

Expansion to 10,000 ha through SPV estates + integrated pastoralists, cluster farmers, and commercial clusters

Phase 3 (2030–2035)

Large Scale Production toward 100,000 ha

Export-grade Alfalfa Markets

Local, GCC and global livestock markets

Operations

Technology-enabled, quality-enforced, transparently governed

Why Jigawa

Suitable Agro-Climatic Conditions

Semi-arid climate with high solar radiation and fertile, well-drained soils supports efficient irrigation, healthy root systems, low disease risk, and reliable multi-cut alfalfa yields.

Large-Scale Irrigation Potential

Accessible groundwater resources with shallow water tables (<100 m) support efficient borehole abstraction, reduce pumping costs, and enable scalable centre-pivot irrigation systems for continuous production.

Strong Government Commitment

Clear policy backing, institutional support, infrastructure and land access, security and community integration

Strategic Export Alignment

Supports Nigeria's export diversification agenda and foreign exchange growth priorities.

Jigawa Landscape

Our Mandate

Vision

To lead Nigeria's public–private execution of export-grade alfalfa for local and global markets, positioning Jigawa as a premium forage hub.

Mission

Deliver large-scale, irrigation-based, export-grade alfalfa production and processing through operational efficiency, disciplined governance, inclusive community and cluster participation, and strict quality standards, ensuring reliable supply, and sustainable local impact.

What We Do

JEFs is the execution vehicle responsible for converting policy, investment, and market access into real production and export delivery.

  • Field-level production operations
  • Processing, storage, and logistics
  • Quality enforcement and traceability
  • Export fulfilment

Institutional Relationships

Jigawa State Government

Provides land access, infrastructure support, enabling policy, credit guarantee, community engagement and security.

El-Meena Farms Ltd

Providing the platform, quality standards, advisory services, aggregation logic, market access, transaction infrastructure, and structuring CAPEX funding in partnership with export finance and commercial banks.

Governance

Governance Structure

JEF operates under a robust, investor-grade governance framework to ensure accountability, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

Board Composition

Government Nominee (Chair)
El-Meena Nominee (Managing Director / CEO)
Finance & Investment Representative
Agriculture & Technical Representative
Governance, Community & ESG Representative
Company Secretary

Governance Principles

  • Fiduciary oversight
  • Clear separation of governance and management
  • Quarterly performance and financial reviews
  • Audit, risk, and ESG compliance

Operations

01

Production System

Land preparation → planting → irrigation → harvesting

02

Processing & Storage

  • Baling, cubing, pelleting
  • Moisture control
  • Warehousing
03

Quality Assurance

  • Field inspections
  • CP%, density checks
  • Traceability
04

Export Logistics

  • Aggregation
  • APZ/EPZ coordination
  • Shipping & delivery

Programme Roadmap

Phase 1

Core Estate Establishment

2026–2027

  • Establish 1,000 ha SPV-operated core estate
  • Deploy irrigation and mechanization infrastructure
  • Implement quality standards and digital monitoring
  • Execute first export shipments
  • Serve as proof of operational capability
  • Volume anchor for early offtake
  • Demonstration and training base
Phase 2

Expansion & Cluster Integration

2028–2029

  • Scale to 10,000 ha through hybrid model
  • SPV-operated estates expansion
  • Integrate Tier 1: Pastoralists
  • Integrate Tier 2: Cluster farmers
  • Integrate Tier 3: Commercial clusters
  • Unified quality standards across all producers
  • Digital monitoring systems for all tiers
Phase 3

Industrial Scale-Up

2030–2035

  • Expansion toward 100,000 ha cultivation
  • Additional processing hubs
  • Full industrial export operations
  • Integration into national export corridors
  • Regional market expansion

Clusters & Participation

Tier 1

Pastoralists & Smallholders

1–10 hectares

Structured inclusion of registered pastoralists and smallholders into formal out-grower groups providing access to training and production inputs, supporting livestock and stabilising livelihood, and a guaranteed offtake.

Tier 2

Cluster Farmers

50–200 hectares

Integrated clusters of small and medium-scale farmers operating under shared irrigation, mechanisation, and digital monitoring systems, enabling commercial production and aggregation at scale.

Tier 3

Commercial Clusters

200–1000+ hectares

Large-scale commercial and aggregator-led clusters with advanced mechanisation and centre-pivot irrigation, delivering high-volume, export-grade production directly linked to international markets.

Core & Ingrower Estates

The initial 1,000-ha SPV-operated estate provides the operational base, export volumes, and best-practice benchmarks ahead of Phase 2 integration.

Support Provided
Irrigation & mechanisation
Inputs and agronomic support
Automated farm management & reporting
Guaranteed offtake via El-Meena

Investment & Partnerships

We welcome strategic partners who share our vision for transforming agriculture in Nigeria and building sustainable export value chains.

Partnership Opportunities

  • Irrigation & EPC Services (Design, supply, installation, and commissioning)
  • Processing and Storage Infrastructure (Baling, cubing, pelleting, warehousing)
  • Logistics and Export Services (Aggregation, shipping, documentation, delivery)
  • Agricultural Export, Trade, and Development Finance (Agricultural Banks, Investors, Development Partners)
  • Research and Capacity-Building (Universities, labs, training and technology transfer)
Partnership

ESG & Communities

Pastoralist Inclusion

Structured integration and conflict reduction through economic participation

Youth Employment

Skills development and job creation for young people

Water Stewardship

Sustainable land use and responsible water management

Community Development

Programmes supporting local communities and livelihoods

What Partners Are Saying

"This project represents an economic bridge between Nigeria and the Middle East, combining land, expertise, and world-class irrigation technology."

Governor
Governor Umar Namadi
Jigawa State Government

Programme Updates (Coming Soon)

Stay informed about milestones, developments, and announcements

Coming Soon
Monthly Progress Reports

Regular updates on programme implementation and milestones

Coming Soon
Media Announcements

Official press releases and public communications

Coming Soon
Project Milestones

Key achievements and development phases

Downloads (Coming Soon)

Executive Roadmap

Comprehensive programme overview and timeline

Cluster Onboarding Guides

Information for prospective cluster participants

ESG Summary

Environmental, social, and governance commitments

EOIs and Application Forms

Expression of Interest forms for partners and vendors

Contact Us

Have questions? We're here to help.

Producer & Cluster Enquiries

Information for farmers and cluster participants

Email Us

Phone: 08059468434

Investor & Partner Enquiries

Partnership and investment opportunities

Email Us

Phone: 08059468434

Vendor & EPC Engagement

Service provider and contractor enquiries

Email Us

Phone: 08059468434

Our Location

No 2, Babangida Aliyu Street, Asokoro, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Ready to Grow Smarter?

Join the Jigawa Premium Alfalfa Programme and be part of Nigeria's agricultural transformation. Whether you're a farmer, investor, or partner, there's a place for you.