The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has stimulated extensive agricultural transformation initiatives, resulting in significant improvements in food and nutrition security in the state and achieving 86 per cent of the annual target.
The five-year agricultural project, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund in partnership with the Kano State Government, was designed to reduce poverty and strengthen food security for vulnerable populations in the state.
Unveiling the success stories of the project, KSADP/SAA Project Coordinator, AbdulRasheed Hamisu Kofarmata, said Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), engaged to implement the crop component of the initiative, has surpassed its targets.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the annual media field day, Kofarmata disclosed that the remarkable achievements were largely driven by productivity enhancement, seed-system strengthening, postharvest loss reduction, improved market access, promotion of climate-smart agriculture and increased income generation.
He explained that SAA, which serves as the technical partner for the crop component covering rice, maize, sorghum, millet, tomato, onion and cabbage, has supported more than 477,284 smallholder farmers across all 44 local government areas of the state.
Kofarmata said that the KSADP project, which will end on 31st December 2025, has recorded 732,624 metric tonnes of average incremental grains, representing 86 per cent of the annual target. He added that the project has also achieved a 51 per cent reduction in postharvest losses, among other benefits.
He further revealed that the week-long media field day was intended to showcase the practical gains of the project over the last five years and to give journalists firsthand experience of the results, as well as provide opportunities for interaction with beneficiaries.
The Country Director of SAA, Dr Godwin Atser, who joined the conference via Zoom, acknowledged the impact of the technical support and knowledge-driven interventions provided to KSADP beneficiaries.
Dr Atser expressed satisfaction that farmers are reaping the benefits of the project, with a multiplier effect on food security, economic viability and postharvest loss reduction.
He also expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with the government to promote agribusiness development and enhance marketing systems.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Mahmoud Danjuma, applauded SAA’s technical contributions to the implementation of the crop component of the KSADP project and assured the government’s readiness to sustain the intervention.
“SAA has performed excellently in implementing the project, and they are always ready to accommodate government recommendations whenever the need arises, even though the government has given them flexibility in implementation. SAA remains careful about adhering to guidelines.
“They are prudent and consistent in keeping to agreements. SAA is a result-oriented organisation, and the government will not hesitate to seek their expertise in future projects. On sustainability, our government will continue from where the project stops and consolidate the success stories,” Dr Danjuma stated.
