Farmers benefit from KSADP, SAA empowerment to boost production in Kano

Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), has launched a training program to improve rice parboiling techniques for women processors and enhance value addition to the process.

Besides, the project distributed inputs to 150 farmers learning clusters in 20 Local Government Areas for the 2023/2024 Dry Season farming activities on vegetables.

This initiative builds upon the project’s recent establishment of 150 demo clusters of tomato, onion, and cabbage in vegetable-producing communities of the state.

Speaking during the unveiling of the training, at Rogo and Karaye local government areas, the project coordinator, Abdulrasheed Kofar-mata, said the training becomes necessary considering the obsolete nature of the traditional methods which mostly results in losses.

Kofar-mata reiterated the significant need for further training and building of efficiency of smallholder farmers to upscale production and defeat hidden hunger.

He said KSADP has embarked on a new training initiative to equip 40 women selected from rice processing groups across 20 LGAs in the state, which he said will directly impact 120 trainees while sharing their acquired knowledge and skills.

Earlier, Program Officer for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture at KSADP-Sasakawa, Engr. Sadiq Hamman highlighted the significant difference in earnings between parboilers using traditional and improved methods.

He noted that those utilizing modern techniques earned an average of ₦ 10,235 per parboiling cycle, compared to ₦2,489 for the former adding that women actively participate in rice parboiling are contributing approximately 70% of the total labor.

“The modern parboiling methods minimize breakage and bran loss, resulting in higher yields and increased profit potential for the trainees. The benefits of the Improved parboiling techniques training include Increased rice production quality, Modern methods lead to lower breakage and bran loss and resulting in higher-quality rice.

“We also have enhanced profitability: Improved yields and reduced losses translate into increased profits for women processors. Improved livelihoods: By equipping women with valuable skills and knowledge, the training contributes to improved livelihoods for rural communities.”

One of the beneficiaries of the intervention, Mallama Hadiza Abdu, Falgore expressed confident that the capacity building will further enhance their skills.

A statement signed by Communications Officer of the project, Moses Nongoatse said KSADP remains committed to supporting the growth and development of the rice value chain in Kano State.