The Kaduna State Government has distributed solar-powered freezers and feed milling machines to 5,000 farmers organised into cooperatives, in a move to strengthen livestock production, reduce post-harvest losses and enhance agricultural productivity across the state.
The distribution exercise, held last Thursday, was carried out by the Deputy Governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who represented Governor Uba Sani at the event. The initiative is being implemented through the Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture under the leadership of the Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo.
Under the programme, the 5,000 beneficiaries are grouped into 500 cooperatives, with each cooperative made up of ten farmers. The equipment is to be jointly managed, ensuring shared access while improving efficiency and long-term sustainability among the farmers.
Each cooperative received solar-powered freezers fitted with panels, inverters and batteries, alongside feed milling machines. These tools are expected to help farmers preserve perishable products such as meat and dairy, while also enabling them to produce animal feed locally.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Governor Uba Sani said the intervention is part of a broader effort to modernise agriculture and strengthen livestock value chains across Kaduna State.
“In this phase, 5,000 farmers, grouped into cooperatives of ten members each, will directly benefit. These assets will boost productivity, reduce losses, improve quality and expand income opportunities, especially for women and youth who drive much of Kaduna’s livestock value chain,” he stated.
The governor noted that the introduction of solar-powered freezers is particularly important in addressing post-harvest losses, especially in rural areas where access to stable electricity remains a challenge. By using renewable energy, farmers can now preserve their products for longer periods and sell at better prices.
Similarly, the feed milling machines are expected to reduce the cost of livestock production by allowing farmers to process their own feed rather than relying on expensive commercial alternatives. This, according to the government, will directly improve profit margins and encourage expansion within the sector.
The initiative builds on an earlier support programme by the state government, during which farmer cooperatives received poultry feeds and live birds to boost poultry farming. The current phase shifts focus toward improving processing, storage and value addition.
Governor Sani emphasised that the intervention aligns with his administration’s vision to position Kaduna as a leading agricultural and livestock hub in Northern Nigeria.
“Our vision is to build a Kaduna State that stands tall as the heart of Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance, a state that feeds itself, supports the nation and exports to the world,” he said.
Beyond equipment distribution, the state government has implemented several complementary programmes to support livestock development. These include the rehabilitation of abattoirs and slaughter facilities, construction of veterinary clinics, and installation of solar-powered boreholes in pastoral communities.
The government has also deployed mobile veterinary teams to improve access to animal healthcare services, alongside large-scale vaccination campaigns targeting livestock diseases. According to the governor, over 850,000 cattle, 250,000 sheep and goats, 250,000 poultry and 5,000 dogs have been vaccinated.
In addition, pastoralist groups have received residue crushers and fodder choppers to convert crop waste into livestock feed, helping to address feed shortages during dry seasons. Demonstration pasture fields and feed supplements such as mineral licks and molasses have also been introduced to improve animal nutrition.
To support dairy farmers, the state has distributed milking cans and tricycles to ease the transportation of milk to collection centres, reducing spoilage and improving market access.
Governor Sani said these combined efforts reflect a deliberate strategy to strengthen the entire agricultural value chain, from production to processing and distribution, while creating more economic opportunities for farmers across the state.
