By Saheed Abiola
The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), in collaboration with the Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), has expressed confidence that Kano State is set to become the most advanced agricultural mechanized farming state in Nigeria.
Grassroots Parrots reports that the Project Coordinator of Sasakawa Africa Association, Comrade Abdurrashid Hamisu Kofar Mata, revealed this on Wednesday during the distribution of agricultural equipment to small-scale farmers at Lahadin Makole in the Dawakin Kudu local government area.
Kofar Mata further stated that the SAA intervention program has already exceeded its initial target of 450,000 beneficiaries.
According to him, the project, which is set to end in April, has already reached 477,000 beneficiaries across the 44 local government areas of Kano State and is now aiming to reach 500,000 beneficiaries.
READ ALSO: Sasakawa Advocates For Farmer Clusters To Improve Productivity.
“As we enter the final phase of the project, we have already surpassed our initial goal of 450,000 beneficiaries. Currently, we have reached 477,000 farmers, and we are making efforts to extend this support to 500,000,” Kofar Mata stated.
The initiative aims to enhance agricultural mechanization through pre- and post-harvest handling services, value addition, and agribusiness support. The broader goal is to boost food production, create employment opportunities, and alleviate poverty.
The program, funded by the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB), rated the Sasakawa initiative in partnership with the Kano State Government as the best collaboration. Kofar Mata stated
He highlighted that since the program’s inception, the Kano State Government has actively overseen its execution to guarantee transparency and effectiveness in the distribution process, and SAA has been closely monitoring the process to ensure smooth implementation.
READ ALSO: Postharvest Losses: Sasakawa Launches Training For Local Machine Fabricators
Speaking during the event, Kano State Project Coordinator of KSADP, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, highlighted the various agricultural tools provided to beneficiaries which include harvesters, solar-powered water pumping machines, sprayers etc designed to enhance farming productivity.
Additionally, farmers have received training in precision farming, as well as pest and disease control.
Efforts are also underway to integrate beneficiaries into larger agricultural value chains by linking them with major producers and suppliers. Women farmers were not left behind, as they were trained and provided with rice parboiling equipment to boost rice processing. Muhammad noted.
Adnan Musa and Khadija Abdullahi, who spoke to our reporter, expressed their appreciation to the Kano State Government and the Sasakawa Africa Association for their unwavering support. They pledged to utilize the equipment effectively for personal growth and the development of their communities.
With the continued success of this initiative, Kano State is well on its way to becoming Nigeria’s leading agricultural mechanization hub, fostering sustainable development and economic progress for its farming population.