By Saheed Abiola
The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), in collaboration with the Sasakawa Africa Association, is putting modalities in place to make Kano State become the most advanced agricultural mechanized farming state in Nigeria this year.
The feat would start manifesting from the second quarter of the year as the state government is partnering with Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) to implement the crop value chain of the KSADP so as to enhance food security in the state.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the KSADP aimed at transforming smallholder farming into commercially viable businesses by developing commodity value chains in order to reduce rural poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment.
The SAA Project Coordinator, Comrade Abdul-Rasheed Hamisu Kofar Mata, confirmed the development on Wednesday during the ongoing distribution of agricultural equipment to smallholder farmers at Lahadin Makole in Dawakin Kudu local government area of the state.
Kofar Mata said the massive procurement plans for the mechanized farming have reached an advanced stage, and when achieved, the exploit would place Kano above its counterparts nationwide to boost the agricultural activities in the state.
“The project has actually planned to mechanize Kano, and it is going to be an unprecedented development in the recent history all over the country, and when this is done by April, I’m sure that there is no state in Nigeria that would have that opportunity within the year.
“Because we have millions of dollars that have been allocated for that, the equipment cut across from production to consumption, such as tractors, planters, harvesters, sprayers, rice milling centers, and everything else within the value chain, would be captured in the mechanization process.” He said.
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SAA is supporting the Kano State government technically to boost its agricultural productivity, access to quality inputs and technology, value addition, and improvement of livelihood and nutrition sensitivity.
According to Kofar-Mata, the four-year project, which is set to end this year, has exceeded its 450,000 direct beneficiaries target by reaching 477,000 across the 44 local government areas of Kano State and is aiming to reach 500,000 beneficiaries.
“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,” he stated.
He added that 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
The project coordinator noted 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.
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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, and sprayers 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.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Adnan Musa and Khadija Abdullahi, described the intervention as timely and resourceful.
They appreciated the Kano State Government and the Sasakawa Africa Association for their unwavering support so far.
Abdullahi said, “We will utilize the equipment effectively for personal growth and the development of our communities.”