Kano moves to recruit 1,000 agric extension agents to improve farmers’ productivity

Determined to address challenges bedeviling agricultural growth in Kano, the State Agricultural and Rural Development Agency has concluded plans to recruit additional 1,000 extension workers to strengthen production and food security.

Although, Kano remains one of the states with the highest number of about 1,200 agents in the country, the gradual retirement and increasing population size of farmers are parts of the critical factors necessitating urgent replaced.

The Managing director, Dr. Farouk Kaurawa disclosed the government plan during a courtesy call paid by the managements of Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) and Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) as part of the KSADP/SAA media field day.

Dr. Kaurawa explained that the government is working hard to outgrow the size of extension agents and bridge the existing gap to the recommended one to 500 agent-to-farmers ratio, stressing that agriculture remains a critical sector receiving the attention of the NNPP administration.

The MD affirmed the negative impact of post-harvest loss farmers contend with annually, he added that the government will soon deploy technology to cut down about 40 per cent of production loss. Dr. Farouk revealed that the government is rolling out tractors’ distribution to service providers who will engage farmers to render mechanize production.

State Program Coordinator, KSADP, Garba Ibrahim disclosed that the visit to the state agric agency was part of activities slated to mark annual KSADP/SAA media field day.

According to Ibrahim, the $95 million agro pastoral project being funded by Islamic Development Bank and Lives and Livelihood Funds with counterparts funding from Kano State Government is aimed to empower smallholders farmers, create job opportunity and food security in Kano.

The State Program Coordinator explained that the project being implemented by Sasakawa Africa Association SAA with focus on cereals and vegetable components has impacted on the lives 450,000 farmers across the 44 local government areas of the state.

Ibrahim emphasized that KSADP/SAA project transforming the lives of Rice, Sorghum, Maize, tomatoes, cabbage farmers in the areas of improved production, processing and marketing value chain.

KSADP/SAA project Communications Officer, Moses Nongoate told hinted that the media field day was intended to showcase impact of intervention and create opportunity for invited journalists to interface with the beneficiaries on their experiences.

Nongoate said the week long engagement will enable practical experience with the end result of KSADP/SAA technological application in the area of Regenerative Agriculture, Nutrition Sensitivitive and Agricultural Enterprise.