DELIVER project empowers Kaduna, Kano farmers with skills, grants

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), in partnership with the East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR), has launched the DELIVER Project aimed at transforming the livelihoods of smallholder vegetable farmers in Kaduna and Kano states.

The initiative funded by the Dutch government through the Accelerating Resilient Food Systems in Africa (ARFSA) program, seeks to empower 50,000 farmers by equipping them with modern agricultural skills and essential financial support.

Speaking at the programme launch in Kaduna, Dr. Michael Ojo, GAIN’s Country Director in Nigeria, highlighted the project’s potential to tackle critical challenges faced by farmers, such as low yields, limited market access, high post-harvest losses, and inadequate financing.

He emphasized that the DELIVER Project aims to reduce post-harvest losses, which can reach up to 40%, while enhancing farmers’ capacity to adapt to climate risks and improve their financial management skills.

On his part, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo commended the initiative, noting that agriculture is vital to the state’s economy and food security.

He stated that “the DELIVER Project represents a timely intervention that aligns with the state’s agricultural development priorities.”

The Commissioner underscored the importance of strengthening value chains and creating sustainable links between farmers and markets, which the project promises to achieve through capacity building and training.

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In his remarks, the state’s Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning , Muktar Ahmad stressed that the DELIVER Project comes at a crucial time when the state is addressing pressing issues of food security and rural poverty.

He noted that “initiatives like DELIVER will enhance the planning and budgeting processes within the state, and enable better data-driven decision-making to ensure sustainable results.”

The project will however focus on training 25,000 existing farmers in advanced production and marketing techniques, while also enrolling an additional 25,000 new farmers in similar training programs.

Furthermore, the project aims to improve financial access for 500 farmers, allowing them to scale up their operations and enhance community health through increased vegetable consumption.