From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
Kano state government has launched an agricultural input distribution programme, under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, SAPZ, Programme, a federal government initiative for economic diversification goals
The programme, part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, is a pilot effort to strengthen Nigeria’s status as an attractive investment hub, particularly in agriculture.
In a statement by Rabi Mustapha Sadiq, Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, SAPZ Kano State Implementation Unit, the distribution focuses on rice and tomato production in the Bagwai and Kura Local Government Areas of Kano, supporting 1,000 farmers—500 in each crop category.
During the flag-off, according to Ms Mustapha, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, highlighted that the SAPZ Programme, backed by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, aimed to improve agricultural productivity by providing skilled farmers with essential resources.
Dr. Mahmoud called on farmers to maximize this support for optimal output, while the National Program Coordinator, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the president’s agenda to bolster food security, foster job creation, and stimulate economic growth.
He explained that the pilot would serve as a model for further SAPZ rollout across all 16 Local Government areas s in Kano, aiming to apply insights from the initial phase to improve SAPZ strategies for agricultural development.
Beneficiaries, including Jamila Abdulhamid and Ali, expressed gratitude for the support and guidance provided, noting the benefits of adopting Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) in their cultivation processes.
“This initiative underscores the commitment to making agriculture a robust contributor to Kano’s—and Nigeria’s—economic landscape,” she stated.
On his part the State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Aminu Ilyasu welcomed the participants, especially the National Coordinating team, and the funding bodies of SAPZ (IFAD/IsDB/ADB/FGN) for supporting SAPZ implementation in Kano State and the county at large.
