Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has launched the Climate-Smart Agribusiness Empowerment Scheme, a N100 million initiative aimed at supporting smallholder farmers with modern agricultural tools and climate-resilient practices. The scheme was introduced during a flag-off ceremony held in partnership with the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).
The program is jointly funded, with AUDA-NEPAD contributing N63.75 million, while the Katsina State Government provided N36.25 million. The initiative is designed to improve food security, increase farmers’ incomes, and promote sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.
Speaking at the event, Governor Radda emphasized the importance of the scheme in boosting agricultural transformation. He said, “This is not just a routine empowerment program—it is a deliberate investment in our people, in our economy, and in our future. We want our farmers to move from subsistence to commercial production using smarter, climate-resilient approaches.”
He further called on agricultural extension agents and stakeholders to play a proactive role in ensuring the resources and training provided under the initiative are properly utilized. “Our extension agents must follow up closely. Monitoring and evaluation will be key to assessing the real impact of this initiative. Let us work together to make sure these resources are not wasted,” the governor added.
Hon. Salisu Jabiru Tsauri, the National Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD in Nigeria, described the scheme as a major step toward achieving the African Union’s long-term development agenda. “This scheme is not just another intervention—it is a gateway to achieving Agenda 2063 of the African Union,” he said. “We are bringing access to inputs, improved seeds, modern farming tools, and most importantly, knowledge and market linkages.”
Tsauri also highlighted Katsina State’s ongoing agricultural investments. These include the construction and repair of critical dams, the procurement of over 20,000 metric tons of fertilizer for the 2025 farming season, and the distribution of solar-powered irrigation pumps to farmers. These actions, he noted, reinforce the state’s commitment to building a sustainable and productive agriculture sector.
Maryam Sodangi, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), pointed out that the empowerment initiative is tied to the broader goal of achieving climate resilience. “This empowerment scheme reflects our commitment to building climate-resilient farming systems. It’s about laying the foundation for food security in the face of environmental changes,” she stated.
The program offers farmers access to improved seeds, modern equipment, climate-smart agriculture training, and support in connecting to local and regional markets. This aligns with high-impact goals such as increasing agricultural productivity, improving rural livelihoods, and promoting agribusiness development.
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The launch event drew a large turnout, including the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, members of the state executive council, extension workers, and hundreds of enthusiastic farmers from across the state.