The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme has empowered no fewer than 505 rice farmers and 504 tomato farmers in Kano.

Dr Kabir Yusuf, National Programme  Coordinator (NPC) of SAPZ said this at the ongoing Field Day activity in Kano on Monday which aimed at connecting smallholder farmers to viable markets.

Yusuf said the field day marked a significant step toward reducing post-harvest losses and increasing farmers’ incomes.

Yusuf who identified SAPZ programme’s core objective as ensuring market access for farmers however, noted that lack of reliable buyers has long plagued tomato farmers in the state thereby leading to substantial losses.

He says “however, through a series of training sessions on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) and the provision of a full package of inputs, SAPZ is equipping farmers with the necessary tools to improve productivity and profitability.

“As part of our commitment to agricultural development, this partnership will ensure that farmers not only produce but also have access to guaranteed markets for their produce.

 “Transformative impact on farmers

under the IFAD-SAPZ pilot scheme is 1,009 farmers specifically 505 rice farmers and 504 tomato farmers have benefited from the programme,”.

Yusuf said the initiative is currently being piloted in Kura and Bagwai Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kano state, with a broader target of reaching 14,000 farmers across 16 LGAs in the state.

Yusuf explained that the first phase of the SAPZ programme is currently being implemented in Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara and FCT with more states to be incorporated in the second phase.

Mr Isah Ibrahim, one of the beneficiaries, a tomato farmer from Watari Cluster in Bagwai LGA, expressed gratitude for the programme describing it as a “turning point” for tomato farmers.

“Before now, we never fully understood that farming is a business. But with the training and support from SAPZ, we now approach farming differently.

“In the past, l harvest between six and seven times per hectare but with the improved practices introduced by SAPZ,  l am now on my second harvest and anticipates up to ten additional harvests.

“Efficient use of agricultural inputs has significantly boosted my yields,”he said.

Ibrahim who identified market access as one of the major challenges for tomato farmers however, emphasised that SAPZ’s intervention has resolved the issue by linking farmers directly with off-takers who purchase their produce at favourable prices.

He appreciated the programme adding that at the moment buyers come directly to their farms to purchase tomatoes at considerable prices.

Also,  a rice farmer from Kura Rice Cluster, Mallama Hafsat expressed profound gratitude to the SAPZ programme, IFAD  and Kano State Government for their support, which has resulted in a bumper rice harvest.

Speaking on the impact of the initiative,  Hafsat acknowledged that prior to SAPZ’s intervention, traditional farming methods yielded poor results.

Hafsat however, said with training on good agronomic practices and access to critical farm inputs, her farming experience has been significantly transformed.

“Before SAPZ came in, our old ways of farming did not favour us, but now, we have been trained in modern techniques, such as nursery preparation before transplanting and proper spacing of rice plants. These have greatly improved our yield,” she said.

“My personal achievements through the improved harvest is that l was able to finance my daughter’s wedding even with the death of my husband.////