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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering smallholder farmers and strengthening agricultural productivity across Kaduna State.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Malam Sani Liman Kila, at the flag-off of the distribution of agricultural inputs to about 400 farmers in Kaduna on Monday, the Governor described agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy and a key driver of inclusive growth.
The event, held at the Arewa House, was organised by the Kaduna State Government in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA–NEPAD) Nigeria. It marked another milestone in the state’s ongoing agricultural transformation efforts.
Governor Sani said the partnership demonstrates his administration’s commitment to people-centred development and aligns with Kaduna’s broader vision of building a food-secure, resilient, and inclusive economy.
He said: “Smallholder farmers form the backbone of our agricultural system. Supporting them means strengthening our economy, securing our food supply, and uplifting thousands of households.”
Sani noted that under his leadership, agriculture remains a top priority, with over ₦10 billion earmarked for the sector in the 2025 budget. He added that Kaduna remains the only state in Nigeria that has met the targets of the Malabo Declaration on agricultural investment.
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He urged the beneficiaries to use the inputs judiciously and avoid selling them, stressing that the programme was designed to lift farmers from poverty and improve their livelihoods.
Chief Executive Officer of AUDA–NEPAD Nigeria, Hon. Jabir Abdullahi Tsauni, hailed the Kaduna State Government for providing counterpart funding that enabled the programme’s expansion to all 23 local government areas.
According to him, 345 smallholder farmers have been trained in good agronomic and climate-smart agricultural practices, including backyard farming for tomatoes, sweet pepper, maize, cowpea, and soybeans. “These inputs are not just farming materials,” he said, “they are instruments of hope and productivity.”
Tsauni added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which prioritises inclusive and climate-resilient agriculture as a foundation for sustainable prosperity.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Murtala Dabo, in his welcome address, said the programme underscores Kaduna’s determination to make agriculture a viable enterprise, not just a way of life. He added that it reflects Governor Sani’s consistent support for partnerships that drive rural transformation, climate resilience, and food security.
Dabo commended AUDA–NEPAD for its collaboration and assured that Kaduna State will continue to serve as a dependable partner to development agencies in advancing agricultural innovation and farmer empowerment.
