Jigawa State is planning to convert conventional irrigation pumps to compressed natural gas (CNG) as part of efforts to reduce farmers’ energy costs and expand dry-season food production, bringing Nigeria’s alternative-fuel drive into agricultural operations.
Governor Umar Namadi announced the initiative on October 14, 2026, following a meeting with Ismaeel Ahmed, chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV). The state government said it would cover the conversion costs for targeted farms, although it has not disclosed the number of pumps to be converted, the programme’s budget or a timetable for implementation.
The initiative addresses a significant expense for farmers who rely on fuel-powered pumps to irrigate crops outside the rainy season. In his announcement, Namadi said energy accounts for more than 50 per cent of farmers’ operating expenses, highlighting the burden of powering agricultural equipment. That figure describes the share of operating costs attributed to energy which will translate to the estimated savings farmers will achieve through CNG conversion.
The proposed programme is intended to support dry-season cultivation, particularly wheat and rice, two crops central to Jigawa’s agricultural ambitions. The state has set a target of cultivating 500,000 hectares of wheat and producing four million tonnes of rice annually by 2030. Lower irrigation costs could help farmers maintain production when rainfall is insufficient, improve the economics of additional planting and reduce their exposure to fluctuations in conventional fuel prices.
However, the potential benefits will depend on how the conversions are designed and delivered. Existing pumps may require technical modifications, compatible engines and appropriate safety systems before they can operate on CNG. Farmers will also need access to trained technicians, spare parts and reliable refuelling services. Without these supporting arrangements, the initial conversion could create additional maintenance or operating difficulties rather than deliver lasting savings.
The state is pursuing the initiative in partnership with the federal government’s presidential CNG programme, which is seeking to expand alternative-fuel infrastructure. The partnership also includes plans to explore a CNG hub in Jigawa and support the development of conversion centres. The presidential initiative has targeted at least 30 conversion centres by December 2026, although the extent to which these facilities will serve agricultural machinery remains unclear.
The proposed pump conversions also build on wider state investment in agricultural infrastructure. On October 6, the Jigawa State Executive Council announced approvals totalling approximately ₦7.465 billion (about $5.60 million) for agricultural mechanisation equipment and an agricultural hub, including facilities intended to support irrigation equipment and maintenance. These investments suggest a broader effort to strengthen the machinery and services needed to support commercial farming.
Yet important implementation questions remain unanswered. The government has not specified which farmers will qualify, how many pumps will receive support, whether farmers will contribute to operating costs or how savings will be measured. Nor has it published comparative figures showing the cost of running conventional fuel-powered pumps against converted CNG equipment under local farming conditions.
For farmers, the decisive issue will be the total cost of irrigation over time. The price of gas must be considered alongside conversion expenses, transport, maintenance, equipment efficiency and the availability of fuel during peak irrigation periods. A lower fuel price alone will not guarantee lower production costs if farmers must travel long distances to refuel or face frequent equipment downtime.
NBF Insight
Jigawa’s proposal highlights an important opportunity to reduce the cost of dry-season farming by addressing the energy required to move water onto fields. Irrigation can allow farmers to grow crops beyond the rainy season, but its commercial value depends on whether the cost of pumping water leaves sufficient returns after spending on seeds, fertiliser, labour and other inputs.
The success of the CNG initiative will therefore depend on more than converting pumps. Jigawa will need to establish accessible fuel supply points, ensure that conversions are technically suitable for agricultural use and provide reliable maintenance support. It should also measure operating costs before and after conversion across different pump sizes and farming conditions.
For Nigeria’s wider agricultural sector, the initiative offers a potential model for connecting energy policy with food production. But replication elsewhere should follow evidence of actual savings, equipment reliability and farmer adoption. Until those results are available, CNG-powered irrigation remains a promising proposal rather than a proven solution to high farming costs.
