The federal government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and private investors, has supported 400 groundnut farmers in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano state under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.
Speaking during the farmers field day for groundnut production on Wednesday, the state Programme Coordinator, Aminu Iliyasu, said the initiative is designed to boost productivity, create jobs, and improve food security.
He explained that SAPZ is part of a nationwide agricultural programme being implemented in Kano, Imo, Kaduna, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and the FCT, aimed at promoting agro-industrialization and rural development.
According to Iliyasu, 142 women and 258 men received NPK and Urea fertilizers as well as SAM Nut 24 seed variety under the Matching Grant Implementation Scheme to promote climate-resilient farming. He added that the farmers were also trained on good agronomic practices, smart agriculture, and weather information services, which have led to a 100% increase in yield.
He described the Farmers Field Day as a platform to showcase innovations, encourage peer learning, and demonstrate improved farming methods for higher income and better nutrition.
Iliyasu noted that SAPZ targets 1.5 million households nationwide, with women and youth making up the majority of beneficiaries. He also highlighted that Nigeria is the fourth-largest producer of groundnuts globally and the highest in Africa, producing about 1.55 million metric tons annually. “Our goal is to empower farmers with knowledge and technology to improve productivity and income while contributing to national food security,” he said.
While delivering the speech, the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmud, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Bashir Sunusi, stated that the Kano State Government is committed to supporting and developing the agricultural sector. He appreciated SAPZ for its efforts in assisting farmers in the state, especially groundnut farmers.
Tasiu Mustapha, one of the beneficiaries of the groundnut farming support, explained that apart from the training provided by SAPZ, they were also given assistance in groundnut cultivation. He said, “Previously, when we cultivated groundnuts, we used to harvest only about 5 to 6 bags per hectare, but since SAPZ came on board, we now get up to 15 bags per hectare. Therefore, all we can say is thank you.”
Stakeholders and farmers in the area have called on SAPZ to provide them with groundnut milling machines and to ensure the timely supply of improved seeds, to further improve productivity and income for local communities.