The Zamfara Concerned Citizens Forum has applauded former Governor Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, for transforming the state’s agricultural sector and restoring dignity to farmers, describing his tenure as a golden era for rural development.
In a statement signed by the Forum’s Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Marafa, the group said Matawalle moved Zamfara’s agriculture from subsistence to sustainability through bold reforms, strategic investments, and innovative support programmes that directly empowered smallholder farmers.
According to the Forum, Zamfara witnessed a remarkable revival in cotton, rice, and maize cultivation under Matawalle’s administration after years of decline.
It said the former governor distributed free cotton seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and farm tools to over 1,000 cotton farmers across the 14 local government areas — an intervention that revived an industry once central to the state’s economy.
The Forum further noted that his government procured and distributed more than 10,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser and over 13,000 bags of grains at subsidised rates to help farmers manage high costs and unfavourable market conditions.
Through the FADAMA III Programme, Matawalle also provided safety gear and agricultural extension services, promoting modern and secure farming practices.
One of his standout initiatives, the Zamfara Accelerated Cotton Revival Programme (ZACAREP), was hailed as a model in the North for revitalising cotton production and creating jobs across the value chain — from cultivation to processing and export.
Beyond direct farming support, Matawalle’s administration invested heavily in rural infrastructure, including feeder roads and the Zamfara Cargo Airport, aimed at boosting agricultural exports and attracting foreign investment.
“Matawalle understood that true development begins from the farm,” the Forum stated. “He gave farmers the tools, knowledge, and confidence to move beyond survival and build wealth from the soil.”
The group also praised his farmers-herders reconciliation policy, which it said reduced violent clashes and restored peace in several rural areas, allowing farmers to return safely to their lands.
“Under Matawalle, agriculture was not just an occupation — it became a movement for food security and prosperity,” Marafa added. “His policies brought peace to the farmlands, dignity to farmers, and hope to the hungry.”
The Forum urged Zamfara residents to support Matawalle’s potential return in 2027, insisting that his tested leadership and passion for agriculture remain vital to reviving the state’s economy and restoring the confidence of its hardworking farmers.