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By Yusuph Aliu Adamu
In a bold move underscoring his administration’s commitment to agricultural transformation, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State recently announced a landmark partnership with Saro Agro Sciences, a leading West African agro-industrial firm. This $20 million investment, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will cultivate premium maize and soybean seeds across 2,000 hectares in the state. Far from a mere financial influx, this initiative represents a pivotal shift toward a resilient, technology-driven agricultural economy. By enhancing farmers’ access to high-quality, affordable inputs, it promises improved yields, heightened productivity, and elevated rural incomes. As Governor Sani noted in his announcement, this aligns perfectly with Kaduna’s vision of agriculture as a catalyst for inclusive growth, bolstered by reforms in transparency, security, and infrastructure.
This partnership is just one thread in the intricate tapestry of Sani’s efforts to revamp Kaduna’s agro-business chain. Since assuming office in May 2023, he has pursued a multifaceted strategy emphasizing partnerships, substantial investments, and expert collaborations. These endeavours have not only reclaimed abandoned farmlands but also positioned Kaduna as Nigeria’s emerging agro-industrial powerhouse, contributing 43% to the state’s GDP and employing over 60% of its population. With over 4.5 million hectares of arable land and a youthful workforce, Kaduna under Governor Uba Sani is transitioning from subsistence farming to a mechanized, market-oriented sector that integrates production, processing, and global trade.
His approach hinges on forging robust partnerships that leverage external expertise and resources to amplify local potential. The Saro Agro collaboration exemplifies this, with Group CEO Rasheed Sarumi affirming its alignment with Kaduna’s conducive agribusiness climate. This initiative will democratize access to superior seeds, directly addressing yield gaps and fostering competitiveness in maize and soybean value chains, which are staples in Northern Nigeria.
Building on this, Governor Sani has cultivated international alliances to inject innovation and scale. A flagship example is the Nigeria-China Poultry Project, where Kaduna was selected as the pilot state. This $450 million venture, executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, involves the Chinese government and Kaduna State. Spanning 10,000 hectares, it integrates maize and soybean cultivation for poultry feed, culminating in one of Africa’s largest poultry facilities producing over one million eggs daily. Governor Uba Sani swiftly allocated over 7,000 hectares for immediate takeoff, with construction slated for December 2025. This partnership is projected to generate $450 million in revenue, create 50,000 direct jobs, and over 300,000 indirect opportunities, and so significantly boosting food security and rural economies.
Similarly, ties with Denmark’s Arla Foods have revolutionized dairy production. In 2023, Arla invested 10 million Euros in a state-of-the-art facility at Damau Household Milk Farm in Kubau Local Government Area, targeting 4-5 million kg of annual milk output. This collaboration, involving the Kaduna State Government, Federal Government, Arla as off-taker, and Danish sponsors, includes settling 1,000 households with improved cows, pasture, veterinary services, and social amenities. It complements broader livestock reforms, such as the Kaduna State Livestock Regulatory Authority (KADLRA) and Livestock Transformation Company, aimed at sustainable economic growth in the dairy value chain.
Through AUDA-NEPAD, 400 smallholder farmers received agricultural inputs, enhancing productivity. Collaborations with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture have been instrumental, with former AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, praising Governor Uba Sani’s tenacity during the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) groundbreaking. These alliances underscore Sani’s diplomatic acumen, turning global relationships into tangible benefits for Kaduna’s farmers.
What is more, his vision is backed by unprecedented financial commitments. The 2026 budget proposal exceeds the Malabo Declaration’s 10% threshold for agriculture, building on a surge from N1.48 billion in 2023 to N74.02 billion in 2025—a nearly 5,000% increase. This funding has enabled massive inputs distribution, including over 900 truckloads of free fertilizer to 220,000 smallholder farmers, the largest in Kaduna’s history. Mechanization efforts include deploying hundreds of tractors, 500 power tillers, and 10,000 solar-powered pumps, reducing labor intensity and enabling year-round farming.
Infrastructure investments are equally transformative. Rehabilitation of irrigation schemes at Kangimi and Mashigin Kaya supports all-season cultivation for tens of thousands. The SAPZ, a government-enabled, private sector-led initiative with AfDB, integrates production, processing, and marketing. Its Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC) in Dutsen-Wai focuses on maize, tomatoes, and ginger aggregation, while the Agro-Industrial Hub (AIH) in Daki-Takwas serves as a logistics and export nexus. Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the groundbreaking back then, hailed it as a catalyst for an agro-industrial ecosystem that will benefit generations.
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Complementing SAPZ is the Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), Northern Nigeria’s first, supported by Afrexim Bank. It ensures produce meets international standards, facilitating exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Additional projects include the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), rehabilitating 16 rural roads to cut post-harvest losses, and a $122 million partnership with StarAgri West Africa for storage facilities holding three million metric tonnes.
These investments extend to risk mitigation and inclusion. Over 100,000 smallholders are enrolled in crop insurance, while an Executive Order has opened 2.5 million bank accounts, integrating seven million residents into the formal economy. A UNICEF partnership distributes Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) statewide, combating child malnutrition—making Kaduna the first to fully implement this.
Sani’s strategy thrives on expert input, fostering collaborations that infuse Kaduna’s agro-business with cutting-edge knowledge. Engagements with federal ministers like Abubakar Kyari (Agriculture) and Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (State for Agriculture) have aligned state efforts with national goals, with Kyari lauding Kaduna as a trailblazer. The 47th National Council on Agriculture, hosted in Kaduna, showcased facilities like OLAM Poultry and Feed Mill, TMDK Agro-Processing Company, and Tomato Jos, earning praise for innovation and mechanization.
International experts, including Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai and NCSP Director-General Joseph Tegbe, have commended Kaduna’s investor-friendly environment. Ex-AfDB boss, Adesina’s endorsement highlights the SAPZ’s role in empowering farmers. Locally, partnerships with organizations like AGRA, the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation—via the Kaduna Mutual Accountability Framework (KaMAF)—emphasize data-driven policies, fiscal responsibility, and inclusive empowerment.
Sani’s administration has also collaborated with private sector leaders like Raj Gupta of African Industries Group for a $120 million irrigation and greenhouse project in Gurara. Ties with Brazil’s SAMPRES, SENAI, and CAMPO introduce Girolando genetics, vocational curricula, and value chain development. These expert-driven initiatives ensure Kaduna’s agro-business is not only expansive but sustainable, addressing climate resilience and market integration.
The fruits of these efforts are evident: reclaimed farmlands exceeding 500,000 hectares, reduced rural-urban migration, and a burgeoning agripreneur class. Agriculture’s GDP contribution and employment figures reflect a vibrant sector driving inclusive growth. Security enhancements via the Kaduna Peace Model—combining intelligence, community dialogue, and inter-agency collaboration—have restored farmer confidence, enabling these advancements.
Looking forward, Sani envisions Kaduna as a self-sustaining, globally connected agro-hub. With ongoing projects like the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies and renewable energy roundtables, the state is poised for further expansion. By intertwining partnerships, investments, and expertise, Sani is not just expanding the scope of agro-business in Kaduna State, he is actually building a legacy of prosperity for Northern Nigeria and the Sahel.
•Adamu, a Development and Agricultural Economist, writes from Abuja, FCT
