Hussaini Kafi in Kano
Over 1,000 farmers in Kano State, predominantly involved in rice and tomato value chains, have received vital agricultural inputs from the Federal Government.
This initiative, part of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, is aimed at boosting food security and economic diversification in Nigeria.
Dr. Kabir Yusuf, the National Programme Coordinator for SAPZ, emphasized the program’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s position as a global agricultural investment hub.
He highlighted the alignment of this initiative with President [President’s Name]’s agenda to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and ensure food sufficiency.
Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, echoed these sentiments.
He explained that the SAPZ program, backed by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is designed to enhance agricultural productivity by providing farmers with essential resources and training. Dr. Mahmoud urged the beneficiaries to leverage this opportunity to maximize their output.
Alhaji Aminu Ilyasu, the State Project Coordinator, expressed gratitude to the National Coordinating team and the funding partners (IFAD, IsDB, ADB, and FGN) for their support in implementing SAPZ in Kano State. He encouraged farmers to continue applying the good agronomic practices learned through the program to achieve higher yields.
The beneficiaries themselves, such as Jamila Abdulhamid and Ali, expressed their appreciation for the support and guidance received.
They acknowledged the positive impact of adopting Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) on their cultivation processes.
As a pilot phase, the distribution of agricultural inputs has been limited to Kura and Bagwai Local Government Areas.
However, based on the outcomes and lessons learned, the program is expected to expand to 16 Local Government Areas in the future.
