KSADP empowers 100 agro-input dealers with branded metal kiosks, support packs
The Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project (KSADP) in collaboration with Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) has empowered 100 trained agro-input dealers with branded metal kiosks and support packs as a measure to check the distribution of fake and adulterated farm inputs to farmers.
SOLACEBASE reports that the Project Coordinator, Kano State Agropastoral Development Project, KSADP, Sasakawa Africa Association, Abdulrasheed Hamisu Kofarmata, announced this at KSADP/SAA Media Field Day exercise in Kano on Monday.
Abdulrashid Kofar-Mata said the program was a five-year initiative that focuses on improving crop production and enhancing livestock productivity in the state.
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“The Executing Agency of the program is the Kano State Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA).
“The overall objective of KSADP is to contribute to reducing poverty and strengthening food and nutrition security in the state by developing agro-pastoral production systems.
“SASAKAWA is a technical partner under the KSADP providing technical support to the government’s extension efforts of enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness through Increased access to inputs value addition extension services,” he said.
Kofarmata said the project has trained 427(412 males & 15 females) agro-dealers on product knowledge, safety rules, and enterprise management.
He explained that the measures were part of the arrangement by the project to ensure that farmers do not face the challenges of procuring fake, unwholesome agricultural inputs that will impact negatively on their harvest.
He said the Project has facilitated access to finance for farmers to over N219m.
The project coordinator noted that to encourage youth engagement and employability, 200 (116 males & 84 females) youths were trained on agribusiness entrepreneurship in collaboration with ICRISAT, while 7,500 pieces of PICS bags were distributed to farmers to encourage safe storage of food items and reduce harmful use of chemicals.
Also, speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Kano State Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA). Dr. Farouq Kurawa appealed to the beneficiaries of the branded metal kiosks and support packs to judiciously manage and maintain the facility so as not to defeat the objective of the project.
Kurawa advised that training and retraining of agro-dealers should be intensified to reduce and totally eradicate the spread of adulterated agric inputs to farmers.
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Earlier speaking during the field day exercise, Kano State Project Coordinator, KSADP, Ibrahim Muhammad said that the project was funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Funds, which aims to enhance livestock health and improve the livelihoods of herders and livestock breeders.,
“The project is determined to upscale the vaccination because livestock health is tied to the herders’ livelihoods and by extension our economy,” the Coordinator stressed.
KSADP has embarked on several projects like upgrading and equipping of Artificial Insemination Centers, the construction of milk collection centers.
Others are; the upgrade of cattle markets and crop residue utilization programme, among others, to improve the livelihood of the herders.
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