Kano Agriculture Project Exceeds Expectations with 86% Grain Production Target
The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has recorded remarkable success in transforming agriculture across the state, achieving 86 per cent of its annual grain production target while significantly improving food and nutrition security for thousands of households.
Project Coordinator AbdulRasheed Hamisu Kofarmata revealed these impressive results during a press conference ahead of the annual media field day, highlighting that the initiative has generated 732,624 metric tonnes of incremental grains across multiple crop varieties.
Comprehensive Support for Smallholder Farmers
The five-year agricultural project, funded through partnership between the Islamic Development Bank, Lives and Livelihoods Fund, and Kano State Government, has provided extensive support to more than 477,284 smallholder farmers spread across all 44 local government areas of Kano State.
Kofarmata explained that the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), serving as technical partner for the crop component, has implemented multiple strategies that drove these outstanding results. These interventions included:
- Productivity enhancement programs
- Seed-system strengthening initiatives
- Postharvest loss reduction measures
- Improved market access for farmers
- Promotion of climate-smart agriculture techniques
- Income generation support for farming households
The project has focused on seven key crops: rice, maize, sorghum, millet, tomato, onion, and cabbage, providing comprehensive technical support and resources to farmers at every stage of production.
Significant Reduction in Postharvest Losses
Beyond the impressive grain production figures, the project has achieved another critical milestone: a 51 per cent reduction in postharvest losses. This achievement represents a major breakthrough in preserving agricultural produce and maximizing farmer incomes.
Dr Godwin Atser, Country Director of SAA, who joined the conference via Zoom, expressed satisfaction with the project's impact on farming communities. He emphasized that farmers are now experiencing tangible benefits from the technical support and knowledge-driven interventions provided through KSADP.
"Farmers are reaping the benefits of the project, with a multiplier effect on food security, economic viability and postharvest loss reduction," Dr Atser stated, while expressing readiness to deepen collaboration with the government to promote agribusiness development.
Government Commitment to Sustainability
With the project scheduled to conclude on 31st December 2025, Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Mahmoud Danjuma, has assured that the government will sustain the intervention and consolidate the success stories.
Dr Danjuma applauded SAA's technical contributions, describing the organization as "result-oriented" and praising their prudent management and adherence to implementation guidelines. He confirmed that the state government will continue from where the project stops, ensuring that the agricultural transformation becomes permanent.
The week-long media field day organized by the project aims to showcase practical gains achieved over the last five years, providing journalists with firsthand experience of the results and opportunities to interact directly with project beneficiaries across Kano State.
