In alignment with Nigeria’s economic diversification goals, Kano State recently launched an agricultural input distribution programme under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative. The programme, part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, is a pilot effort to strengthen Nigeria’s status as an attractive investment hub, particularly in agriculture. The distribution focuses on rice and tomato production in the Bagwai and Kura Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kano, supporting 1,000 farmers—500 in each crop category.
During the flag-off, Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, highlighted that this SAPZ pilot project, backed by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aims to improve agricultural productivity by providing skilled farmers with essential resources. Dr. Mahmoud called on farmers to maximize this support for optimal output, while the National Project Coordinator, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the president’s agenda to bolster food security, foster job creation, and stimulate economic growth.
This pilot will serve as a model for further SAPZ rollout across all 16 LGAs in Kano, aiming to apply insights from this initial phase to improve SAPZ strategies for agricultural development. Beneficiaries, including Jamila Abdulhamid and Ali, expressed gratitude for the support and guidance provided, noting the benefits of adopting Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) in their cultivation processes.
This initiative underscores the commitment to making agriculture a robust contributor to Kano’s—and Nigeria’s—economic landscape.