Kano: KSADP establishes 150 training farms of tomato, onion, cabbage in 20 LGAs

By Bello Sani On Nov 26, 2023

Islamic Development Bank LLF, KSADP/SAA, Farmer Learning Platforms — KSADP Vegetable Farmers in Bagwai LGA celebrate bumper harvest during the 2022 dry season

As the 2023 Dry season peaks, the Kano Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP), is intensifying efforts to ensure sustainable and profitable vegetable production in Kano State.

The project funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Lives and Livelihood Funds (LLF), and the Kano state government has established 150 Demo clusters of tomato, onion, and cabbage in 20 LGAs of Kano, which will serve as Farmer Learning Platforms (FLPs) during the 2023/2024 Dry season.

A statement issued by Moses Nongoatse, Communication Officer, Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria, on Saturday, said the FLPs were established by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), an International Agricultural development organization implementing the crop component of the KSADP.

According to the statement, the project emphasizes the importance of early preparations, including pre-planting operations, to ensure successful Dry season farming operations.

Speaking in Kano on Saturday, the Project Coordinator, KSADP/SAA Abdulrasheed Hamisu Kofarmata, said, “The establishment of the Farmer Learning Platforms is crucial to equipping our farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to optimize crop yields and enhance their livelihoods during the dry season for profitable vegetable farming,”

Mr Kofarmata explained that “By providing hands-on training in dry season vegetable production techniques, we aim to empower farmers to overcome challenges such as pest and disease attacks, inadequate knowledge and technology, and insufficient post-harvest handling and facilities.”

The Project Coordinator further stated that “The KSADP is committed to promoting vegetable production to strengthen Nutrition/food security, boost agricultural productivity, and improve the livelihoods of farmers in Kano State; by combining training, technology transfer, and community engagement, we are confident that our comprehensive approach will yield significant benefits for the agricultural sector and the overall well-being of the State.”

The statement said key aspects of the project’s Dry season vegetable production promoted by the SAA regenerative Agriculture strategic intervention pillar include: emphasis on early planting, quality sourcing, and selection of seeds timely application of fertilizers, effective pest and disease control measures, and strict adherence to Good Agronomic Practices (GAP).

‘’The program officer of Regenerative Agriculture SAA/KSADP, Mr. Tijjani Tanko, emphasized the importance of the 150 dry-season vegetable demonstration plots established across 20 out of the 44 local government areas (LGAs) of the state. ‘The focus is on tomatoes (100 FLPs), onions (25 FLPs), and cabbage (25 FLPs).’ He explained that ‘ KSADP/SAA is networking farmers through its 270 Extension Agents and 540 Community-Based Facilitators for effective technology transfer’’.

SOLACEBASE reports that the Kano Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP) is a five-year project funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Lives and Livelihood Funds (LLF) to revitalize the agricultural sector in Kano State, Nigeria and the project aims to increase agricultural productivity, enhance market access, and improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers.