Kaduna State Governor, Senator Dr. Uba Sani, has signed a $400,000 Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to enhance agricultural development, improve food security, and promote sustainable practices in the state. The signing ceremony took place today at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, with the FAO represented by its Country Representative, M. Koffy Dominique Kuaku.
The partnership is a strategic intervention aimed at boosting tomato production, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening the entire value chain. By leveraging FAO’s technical expertise and resources, the project will empower local tomato farmers, improve productivity, and advocate sustainable farming practices that will secure long-term benefits for Kaduna’s agricultural sector.
Governor Uba Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural development, emphasizing that as Nigeria’s top producer of tomatoes, Kaduna is well-positioned to lead the sector. With vast arable land, abundant water resources, and a youthful population eager to engage in farming, the state has the potential to meet both local and national demand.
This project aligns with the administration’s broader agricultural agenda, which is reflected in the 2025 budget, where N74 billion (9.36%) has been allocated to agriculture. The commitment was also evident in 2024, when the government provided critical inputs—including seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and equipment—to 41,693 smallholder farmers. Kaduna State also executed the largest fertilizer distribution in its history, delivering 500 trucks (240,000 bags) to farmers and further invested in mechanization with the acquisition of 12 heavy-duty tractors.
With this FAO-backed initiative, Kaduna is set to revolutionize its tomato industry, ensuring higher yields, reduced waste, and improved livelihoods for farmers, while reinforcing the state’s position as an agricultural powerhouse.
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