Kaduna farmers are buzzing with excitement as Governor Uba Sani unveiled a massive Dry Season Agricultural Empowerment Programme at Murtala Square.
The initiative, designed to make farming a year-round venture, is providing crucial support to crop and livestock farmers, ensuring sustained food production, Food Security and economic growth.
At the event, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described Kaduna as the “pride of Northern Nigeria”, commending the state government for prioritizing agriculture and allocating 10% of the 2025 budget to the sector—a milestone that aligns with the Malabo Declaration’s target for agricultural investment. He urged farmers to maximize the opportunity while calling for stronger collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
The programme included the distribution of 100,000 bags of fertilizers, 500 power tillers, 2,000 knapsack sprayers, and 10,000 solar-powered water pumps to enhance productivity and ensure uninterrupted dry-season farming.
Under the programme, farmers will also receive high-quality seeds and agrochemicals to improve yields.
Recognizing the needs of livestock farmers, Governor Uba Sani’s administration is providing 100 residue crushers and 50 fodder choppers to aid in feed production while ensuring livestock have adequate nutrition.
Solar-powered boreholes equipped with drinking troughs have been installed across 19 sedentary pastoralist communities, reducing seasonal migration and fostering peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers.
To strengthen the dairy value chain, the governor said farmers are being equipped with milking cans and tricycles to transport milk efficiently, reducing post-harvest losses and linking them to stable markets.
Livestock supplements such as levamisole for deworming, mineral licks, and molasses are also being provided to enhance animal health, weight gain, and productivity.
Beyond agricultural inputs, Governor Uba Sani is tackling one of the biggest challenges facing rural communities—the herder-farmer conflict. His administration is investing in water infrastructure, rehabilitating grazing reserves, and promoting dialogue to foster peace. He noted that the Kaduna Peace Model has helped restore security in conflict-prone areas like Birnin Gwari and Giwa LGAs, allowing farmers to return to their fields and revive rural economies.
Kaduna’s push for agricultural transformation is further reinforced by two landmark projects. The Africa Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), supported by AFREXIMBANK, will provide testing, certification, and inspection services for agricultural exports. The Special Agricultural Processing Zone (SAPZ), developed in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), will boost processing, value addition, and market expansion for farmers.
Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to development partners, private sector collaborators, and his agricultural team, particularly the Commissioner of Agriculture, Malam Murtala Dabo, for their efforts in making the programme a reality. He reaffirmed his commitment to empowering farmers, driving economic growth, and making Kaduna the hub of agricultural excellence in Nigeria.
Farmers and agricultural stakeholders have hailed the initiative as a game-changer, saying it sparks fresh excitement and positions Kaduna State as a leader in sustainable agricultural development.
