Kano State has approved the release of N500 million as counterpart funding for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation Programme, a move aimed at boosting food security, resilience, and agricultural productivity.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Dannuma Mahmud, who explained that the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and economic growth.
Dr. Mahmud noted that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has demonstrated this commitment through direct actions, including the recruitment of 1,038 agricultural and agriculture-related extension workers. According to him, these steps align with the government’s vision of creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investments while also promoting sustainable agriculture and improving the livelihoods of residents across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Bashir Sunusi, made the announcement during a programme titled “Sensitisation Workshop on the Establishment of Multi-Stakeholders Agriculture Forum (MAF) for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme” held in Kano.
Dr. Sunusi described the SAPZ programme as a transformative approach that is designed to unlock the full potential of agriculture by promoting value addition, attracting investments, creating jobs, and strengthening linkages across the agricultural value chain.
At the same event, Dr. (Mrs.) Olubunmi Ademola Iluromi from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security praised the participants for taking a major step toward establishing the Multi-Stakeholders Agribusiness Forum (MAF).
She pointed out that the forum is a vital component of the SAPZ Programme, bringing together various stakeholders such as policymakers, private sector leaders, rural farmers, and financial institutions to drive agricultural and industrial growth.
She said, “The Multi-Stakeholder Agribusiness Forum in Kano State is a bold and visionary step that signals a new era of coordinated action. Here, government, the private sector, civil society, and development partners converge to unlock agriculture’s full potential, not just as a source of livelihood, but as a driver of industrialisation, innovation, and economic resilience.”
In his speech, the national coordinator of the SAPZ, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, said the state is at a critical turning point. “We are at a pivotal moment for Kano’s agricultural sector. For decades, our state has been recognised as a hub of commerce and agriculture, but we have yet to fully unlock its potential,” he stated.
Represented by Abel Ameh, the Rural Institutions Development Specialist for the SAPZ programme, Dr. Yusuf stressed the need for building not just infrastructure but also a new agricultural economy that is modern, inclusive, and sustainable.
Earlier, the state coordinator for SAPZ, Alhaji Aminu Ilyasu, highlighted the importance of the new forum. “This forum is the cornerstone of our strategy. It is the platform that will bring together all of us here, policymakers, investors, development partners, and most importantly, our farmers—to work as one,” he said.
He added, “The MAF will serve as our collective brain, where we can solve problems, share insights, and co-create solutions. We are committed to breaking down silos and building bridges of cooperation. We recognise that no single entity can achieve this transformation alone. It requires a unified effort from the government for policy, the private sector for investment, and our rural institutions for on-the-ground implementation.”
