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From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has signed a $12,347,071. 44 amended Memorandum of Understating with its implementing partners, Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) for the procurement of agricultural machinery to enhance mechanization and food security in Kano.
The contract involves the provision of tractors, combined harvesters and other specialised equipment for tasks like land preparation, planting, harvesting, or processing.
Speaking shortly after signing the contract agreement, the Project Coordinator, KSADP, Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, explained that the contract also entailed the provision of planters, transplanters, boom sprayers and harvesting equipment.
“Others are solar powered water pumping machines, rice milling equipment, onion storage technology and land preparation equipment among others.
“The amended MOU is aimed at supporting the government of Kano State in its effort to transform agriculture for the use of crude implements to mechanized farming, thereby increasing the productivity and production of smallholder farmers in the state, through precision and reduction of post harvest loss.”
Ibrahim stated that KSADP, funded by the Islamic Development Bank, the Lives and Livelihoods Fund and the state government is leveraging on the expertise of Sasakawa Africa Association to achieve its objectives of revamping agriculture and reducing poverty, while aligning with the Federal government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the Kano State Development Plan, as well as the Islamic Development Bank’s (IDB) development strategy.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Danjuma Mahmoud, described the initiative as a major step to modernise agriculture in the state and make it more attractive to the youths.
The Country Director, SAA – Nigeria, Godwin Atser said the agreement was a significant milestone in the state’s agricultural transformation drive, describing the relationship between his organization and KSADP in the past five years, as a significant success.
