Kano To Commission 300 Agric Completed Projects, Recover 1200 Acres Of Land
From Muhammad Kabir, Kano
The Kano State Government, is to commission over 300 Agricultural Projects before December 2026, this is even as the Government said to have recovered more than 1,200 Hectors of previously unusable farmland through the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and strengthen food security across the state.
The State Agric Commissioner, Dr Danjuma Muhmud disclosed this whole speaking to newsmen on the achievements of the Ministry, outlining plans to construct 11 additional mini dams and irrigation facilities across 11 local government areas, a move expected to provide about 2,000 additional acres of irrigation farmland.
Speaking on the achievements and ongoing interventions in the agricultural sector, including irrigation development, mechanised farming, livestock production and support for smallholder farmers, Dr. Danjuma Muhmud, hints that soon they are going to showcase real achievements made under the Government of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf in less than four years.
According to him, the rehabilitation of major irrigation facilities in Kadawa, Bunkure A and Bunkure B has helped restore substantial areas of farmland that were previously inaccessible for cultivation.
“The intervention also received support from the Federal Government and the African Development Bank through the ATAPS project, which contributed to the recovery of more than 200 additional acres for irrigation land”
The government further revealed that a major irrigation project at Donsushiya is underway, featuring a dam stretching approximately two kilometres with a capacity of about three billion cubic litres of water. The project is expected to provide irrigation facilities for about 500 hectares, equivalent to 1,250 acres of farmland.
He said the 14-kilometre access road to the project site, approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to enable the movement of heavy equipment, has been completed, while construction of the dam has reached approximately 40 per cent completion.
Danjuma Muhmud, listed 11 local government areas selected for additional mini dams and irrigation projects, including Ajingi, Kibiya, Sumaila, Doguwa, Shanono, Dawakin Kudu, Gaya, Rogo, Dichi, Dawakin Tofa and Ngugu, although some names in the project list require official confirmation.
Disclosing that compensation payments had commenced in at least six locations, with contractors already mobilised to some project sites.
On agricultural modernisation, the state government said it had acquired various farm implements, including tractors, threshers, forklifts, combine harvesters, solar-powered irrigation pumps, planters and transplanters.
The Commissioner, explained that the equipment would be distributed free of charge to properly registered and organised farmers’ cooperatives, subject to good corporate governance, accountability and transparent leadership.
The government also highlighted its livestock empowerment programmes, revealing that thousands of beneficiaries had received cattle, goats and rams, alongside animal feeds and veterinary drugs to support livestock fattening and reproduction.
“Under the programme, women were prioritised in goat distribution, while young people benefited from the ram-fattening initiative.
The Commissioner, further disclosed that, in collaboration with local governments, nearly 700 truckloads of fertiliser had been procured over the last three years for distribution to farmers across the state’s 44 local government areas.
It also acknowledged additional support from the Federal Government, including fertilisers, improved seeds, pesticides and insecticides distributed through farmers’ data and designated redemption centres.
In another development, the government said more than 70 milk collection centres had been completed to improve milk handling, storage and preservation, particularly for Fulani livestock farmers, the centres are equipped with storage facilities and solar-powered cooling systems, while milk transportation containers are ready for distribution.
The Commissioner also reported the completion and upgrading of several agricultural storage facilities, aggregation centres, cattle markets and the Dawanau grain market.
Some of the upgraded livestock markets include those at Dumbulu, Falgore, Gwarzo, Wudil and Lambata, with improvements covering water supply, veterinary clinics, drainage systems, solar lighting and livestock loading facilities.
Similarly, approximately 72 kilometres of agricultural access roads have been provided in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank to ease the transportation of farm produce from rural communities to markets and storage centres.
Addressing the persistent challenge of farmer-herder clashes, the Commissioner, said they have established and demarcated approximately 1,270 kilometres of cattle routes across Kano State.
He expressed optimism that the intervention would further reduce conflicts between farmers and herders while creating a more peaceful environment for agricultural activities.
The government maintained that its agricultural interventions were designed to increase food production, create employment opportunities, improve rural livelihoods, reduce poverty and discourage rural-to-urban migration.
He reaffirmed its commitment to working with development partners, including the Islamic Development Bank, World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), to strengthen agricultural development and food security in Kano State.
