From :Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency—New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, has launched an initiative aimed at empowering 400 smallholder farmers with agricultural inputs. Governor Uba Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity across the state.
The event, held at the Arewa House, marked another significant milestone in the state’s ongoing agricultural transformation efforts. Governor Sani emphasized that this partnership reflects his administration’s dedication to people-centered development and aligns with Kaduna’s broader vision of building a food-secure, resilient, and inclusive economy. “Smallholder farmers form the backbone of our agricultural system,” he stated. “Supporting them means strengthening our economy, securing our food supply, and uplifting thousands of households.”
The Governor highlighted that, under his leadership, agriculture remains a top priority, with over ₦10 billion allocated to the agricultural sector in the 2025 budget. He noted that Kaduna is the only state in Nigeria to have met the targets set out in the Malabo Declaration on agricultural investment.
Hon. Jabir Abdullahi Tsauni, Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, commended the Kaduna State Government for providing counterpart funding that has enabled the program to expand to all 23 local government areas. According to Tsauni, 345 smallholder farmers have been trained in good agronomic and climate-smart agricultural practices, including backyard farming for tomatoes, sweet peppers, maize, cowpeas, and soybeans. “These inputs are not just farming materials; they are instruments of hope and productivity,” he remarked. The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which prioritizes inclusive and climate-resilient agriculture as a foundation for sustainable prosperity.
In his closing remarks, Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim, State Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD Kaduna State, expressed gratitude to the Governor and the Kaduna State Government for their support and commitment to improving the lives of smallholder farmers.
He praised the Ministry of Agriculture and its Honorable Commissioner, Hon. Murtala Dabo, for their leadership and unwavering support.
Ringim assured that AUDA-NEPAD Kaduna remains fully committed to successfully completing and documenting the program as a national model for climate-smart agriculture.
This initiative aims to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and drive agricultural transformation in Kaduna State.
With the backing of the Kaduna State Government and AUDA-NEPAD, the program is expected to significantly impact the state’s agricultural sector and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
