The International Crops Research for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in partnership with Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) under the state’s Agro Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) with support from Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) has distributed Stover chopper, hammer mill, spaghetti and pop-sorghum processing machines as starter packs to no fewer than 25 youth and women farmer groups in Kano state.
Addressing beneficiaries during the distribution exercise held at ICRISAT headquarters in Kano, ICRISAT Country Representative Dr Angarawai Ignatius revealed that the beneficiaries have been trained on how to operate the machines effectively before being empowered. According to him the institute has been working in collaboration with other agricultural development agencies in not only research but also in the development of a strong agribusiness along the value chain of some crops.
Similarly, in his address KSADP Project coordinator in SAA Comrade Abdulrasheed Hamisu Kofar Mata stated that the project is committed to transforming agricultural practices to what it ought to be in the state adding that the importance of agriculture cannot be over emphasize taking into consideration of the global trend in terms of food security.
While distributing the machines to the beneficiaries, Kano state commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr Danjuma Mahmoud urged the beneficiaries to make good use of what was given to them. Represented by the Ministry’s Director Admin and General Services (DAGs) Malam Garba Yunusa, the commissioner expressed the state government commitments towards agricultural development in the state.
