KSADP, Sasakawa showcase major gains in mechanization, youth empowerment, farmer support across Kano

The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), implemented by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), showcased major achievements in mechanization, farmer support, and youth empowerment during a media field tour on Thursday across several communities in the state.

Led by the KSADP Project Coordinator, Comrade Abdulrasheed Kofar Mata, the tour covered the Agricultural Mechanization Centre (AMC) in Kadawa, agro-input retail points in Ciromawa, youth fabrication workshops in Garun Mallam, and a combine harvester demonstration in Bunkure.

At the Kadawa AMC, SolaceBase correspondent observed display of tractors, fabrication equipment and a new fleet of combined harvesters acquired to enhance mechanized farming in Kano.

Kofar Mata revealed that 48 combined harvesters have been procured under the KSADP–Sasakawa partnership, making it one of the largest state-led mechanization support programs in Nigeria.

He added that the centres located in Kadawa (Central), Gaya (South), and Danbatta (North) are designed to provide affordable mechanization services to farmers and will operate under a private-sector-led sustainability model.

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“In recent times, this is the first of its kind in Nigeria,” he said. “The Federal Government is even adopting this model for national implementation.”

The tour continued to Ciromawa in Garun Mallam LGA, where journalists met Bisiru Alhassan, one of the 370 agro-input stockists trained and empowered by KSADP. Before the project, Bisiru had no shop, but today he operates a fully equipped kiosk provided under the program and sells inputs to local farmers.

“KSADP gave me the capital and the shop. Now I have a business and farmers depend on me,” he said in appreciation.

The project officials said the stockists also serve as trained extension agents providing guidance on good agronomic practices.

In Garun Mallam, the media team visited the workshop of Ya’u Zakari Abdullahi, a youth who received training at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization in 2023. He was later equipped with fabrication machines, tools, and safety materials to begin his own workshop.

Ya’u now repairs and fabricates agricultural tools and supports his family through the business.

“The training and machines changed my life,” he said.

“I am now equipped and able to provide for my children.”

At Bunkure LGA, Alhaji Muntari Rabiu displayed his combined harvester received at no cost from KSADP.

He explained how the machine has expanded his farming operations and improved services to local farmers.

“I didn’t pay a kobo for this machine,” he said gratefully. “It improved my business and even helps farmers because we give them discounts.”

Project engineer Mallam Sadik noted that the harvesters reduce post-harvest losses from about 7% manually to just 1–1.5%, enhancing food security and increasing farmer income.

The tour also featured a demonstration of the newly installed Inert Atmosphere Silo, which uses nitrogen or carbon dioxide to preserve grains for more than six months without chemicals. With a 10-ton capacity, the technology is expected to help farmers minimize losses and sell produce at better prices.

Comrade Kofar Mata commended the media for their consistent interest in the project, emphasizing that KSADP will continue supporting farmers, youth, and rural enterprises across Kano State.

“What you have seen today are real transformations,” he said.

“KSADP remains committed to improving livelihoods, strengthening food production, and supporting economic growth in Kano.”