Sasakawa, KSADP boost food security in Kano State – Yusuf

Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State, says the implementation of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SSA) and the Kano Agro-pastoral Development Project (KSADP), has empowered farmers and accelerated food production in the state.

Yusuf said this on Monday in Kano at an agric workshop themed: “Agricultural Transformation and What Works”.

Represented by his deputy, Aminu AbdulSalam, the governor said the programme impacted widely on the lives of the people of the state.

He said that transparent and result-oriented project must be sustained for wider impact in the entire agricultural sector of the state.

The governor said the KSADP funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Lives and Livelihood Fund, encouraged development of agro-pastoral production in the state.

YKabir-Yusuf said the programme had trained 854 front-line extension workers on various aspects of the agric value chain, quipped them with 220 motorcycles, 380 tablets for data collection and provided monthly stipends.

“The project has established and supported 5,348 farming clusters with capacity building and inputs for grain/vegetable production enhancement, and 1,237 clusters to strengthen seed system.

“Established 54 agro-processing centres, three parabolic vegetable solar drying centres, and 23 onion solar drying facilities; trained and empowered the benefiting communities with starter-packs,” Yusuf said.

The governor lauded the IsDB and partners for organising the workshop and viable farmer support services in the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Sasakawa Africa Association, Dr Amit Roy, said the association was implementing viable agric interventions in Nigeria in the past 32 years.

Roy commended chairman of the Nippon Foundation, Mr Yohei Sasakawa, for his support to the association to enhance food security in Africa.

He said that farmers hold the key to the continent’s future, stressing that key players in the agricultural value chain could make agriculture profitable and inspirational to the youth.

According to him, Sasakawa Africa Association’s journey has been one of growth and transformation.

“It underscores the importance of working alongside farmers, learning from them, and adapting our approaches to meet their evolving needs.

“KSADP is a shining example of how partnerships between governments, international organisations, and technical experts can lead to sustainable change,” he said.

Highlights of the event include presentations by stakeholders, who lauded the Kano government and partners for encouraging crop and livestock productions to boost food security in the state.