The Kano State Government says it has acquired modern farm implements, including tractors, combine harvesters, planters, threshers and solar-powered irrigation pumps, for free distribution to registered farmers’ cooperatives to boost agricultural production.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the ministry’s achievements in the last three years on Tuesday in Kano.
Mahmoud said the initiative was part of the government’s efforts to modernise agriculture, improve farmers’ productivity and strengthen food security.
He said the equipment would be distributed free of charge to registered farmers’ cooperatives with sound corporate governance structures and transparent leadership.
According to him, the government expects beneficiary cooperatives to demonstrate commitment, maintain proper records and operate as viable business entities.
He said the initiative would complement other agricultural interventions aimed at increasing production and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
The commissioner said the government had also established a farmers’ database to provide reliable information for planning, budgeting and effective distribution of agricultural support.
He said the ministry had rehabilitated irrigation infrastructure, recovering over 1,200 acres irrigated land from existing irrigation facilities, as well as additional brand new irrigation site at Dansoshiya with a capacity of 1, 250 acreas.
Mahmoud said the government was also developing an irrigation project at Dansoshiya, with a dam designed to hold about three billion cubic litres of water and provide irrigation for 500 hectares of farmland.
He added that the 14-kilometre access road to the project site had been completed, while construction of the dam was about 40 per cent completed.
The commissioner said the government had also secured approval for 11 mini-dams and irrigation projects across 11 local government areas, which would provide an additional 2,000 acres of irrigable farmland when completed.
He said the state government, in collaboration with local governments, had procured nearly 700 truckloads of fertiliser for distribution to farmers over the last three years.
Mahmoud added that the ministry had trained more than 2,000 extension workers to improve agricultural advisory services and support farmers with modern farming techniques.
He further disclosed that the government had completed more than 70 milk collection centres to improve milk handling and storage among pastoral communities.
He said the centres were equipped with storage facilities and solar-powered cooling systems to ensure hygienic preservation of milk.
Mahmoud said the government had also upgraded several cattle markets, providing veterinary clinics, water facilities, drainage systems, solar lighting and loading facilities to improve livestock trading.
He added that about 72 kilometres of rural roads had been constructed in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank to facilitate the transportation of farm produce to markets and aggregation centres.
The commissioner said more than 300 projects executed by the ministry were ready for commissioning.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding irrigation facilities, improving livestock production and strengthening food security in the state.