Agriculture
FG trains laboratory technicians , technologists on soil health card scheme
The Federal Government has commenced training for laboratory technicians and technologists on the use of Soil Health Card (SHC) modules in a bid to enhance soil management practices across the country.
Speaking at the event on Wednesday in Kano, the Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Mr Oshadiya Olanipekin, said the objective of the sensitization was to train technologists and technicians on the mode of operation of the soil health card scheme.
He noted that the training was aimed at equipping laboratory personnel with the necessary skills to assess soil health and give recommendations to farmers.
Olanipekun added that the training covered various aspects of soil health analysis, including conducting soil tests, interpreting results, and providing farmers with recommendations based on the findings.
The Director also highlighted the importance of the SHC initiative in supporting farmers with accurate soil data.
“Soil health is crucial for sustainable agriculture. By ensuring that laboratory technicians and technologists are well-trained on the use of SHC modules, we are taking a vital step toward improving soil quality and enhancing food security in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the engagement with some of the stakeholders would also contribute to developing a comprehensive soil health card scheme for Nigerian farmers.
Olanipekun urged the participants to ensure the effective implementation of the SHC system, noting that it will not only benefit farmers but also contribute to the long-term health of Nigeria’s agricultural land.
He urged farmers in Kano and the country as a whole to take their soil samples to laboratories in order to reduce farming cost and improve agricultural productivity.
Earlier, Managing Director of Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) Dr Faruk Kurawa,emphasized the significance of accurate soil testing.
“Proper soil analysis and timely recommendations can greatly improve crop yields and help prevent land degradation,” he explained.
Kurawa added that the widespread adoption of the SHC program would lead to improved agricultural practices and greater food security for Nigeria.
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Farmers participating in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) groundnut initiative in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State have recorded up to 100 per cent increase in yield, following the adoption of improved seeds and modern farming techniques introduced through the programme.
Our correspondent who attended a field day organised by SAPZ in Bebeji on Thursday reports that the initiative has significantly boosted farmers’ productivity and income levels.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with NAN expressed satisfaction with the support received under the SAPZ programme, describing it as “transformative” and a “turning point” for groundnut cultivation in the area.
One of the farmers, Malam Umaru Garba, said he harvested twice the amount of groundnuts compared to the previous farming season.
“Before SAPZ came, I used to get only about 10 bags from my one hectare farm. This year, I got 20 bags. The improved seeds and training on modern planting methods made a big difference,” Garba said.
Another farmer, Hajiya Maryam Dankaka, said the programme had not only improved her yield but also enhanced her financial stability.
“For the first time, I was able to sell enough groundnuts to pay school fees for my children and still have money to reinvest. The programme taught us better planting spacing, pest control, and post-harvest handling,” she said.
Similarly, a young farmer, Aliyu Musa, commended the facilitators and agricultural experts working with SAPZ for their continuous field visits and technical guidance.
“They visit us regularly to monitor progress and advise us. This has really helped us to avoid mistakes and improve our output,” Musa said.
Also speaking, Malam Sani Usman, another beneficiary, appealed to the SAPZ management to provide farmers with groundnut harvesting machines and ensure timely distribution of improved seeds ahead of the next farming season.
“If we can get access to modern harvesters, our work will be faster and cleaner, and we can produce more. We are very grateful for what SAPZ has done so far,” he said.
The SAPZ programme, supported by development partners and the Kano State Government, aims to promote agro-industrial growth by enhancing value chains, improving farmers’ productivity, and supporting the establishment of processing hubs across the state.
Experts at the field day noted that the groundnut initiative in Bebeji has demonstrated the potential of integrated agricultural interventions to transform rural livelihoods and contribute to food security in Nigeria.
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Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), under the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), has inaugurated the Kadawa Agricultural Mechanisation Centre in Garun Mallam Local Government Area of Kano State.
The centre is one of three mechanisation hubs established to transform smallholder farming in the state.
This paper reports that the intervention is funded by the Kano State Government, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF). Similar hubs are expected to be established in Danbatta and Gaya LGAs.
The initiative is part of a six-month extension of the five-year KSADP, which began in 2021 and now runs until December 2025. While the state government provided land for the hubs, SAA is responsible for construction and equipment installation under the project’s crop component.
Speaking at the inauguration, SAA Country Director, Dr Godwin Atser, represented by Project Coordinator, Abdulrasheed Hamisu Kofarmata, said the intervention would lift thousands of smallholder farmers out of low-productivity cycles.
Kofarmata said improved access to mechanisation would enable farmers to compete in larger markets, create jobs and strengthen food security.
He added that the hubs would also provide opportunities for youths and women in machine operation, maintenance and agro-processing.
According to him, the project is anchored on a Private Service Provider (PSP) model that integrates cooperatives and private operators to ensure sustainability.
Also speaking, Vice President (Operations) of IsDB, Dr Rami Ahmad, described the hub as a milestone that would significantly boost farmers’ productivity.
“This project is aimed at touching the lives of three million people. It is something for all of us to be proud of, as it benefits Kano State and farmers across the surrounding areas,” Ahmad said.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud, said the full impact of the project would be felt in the years to come.
“From crop production, irrigation, value addition, processing, and livestock productivity enhancement to climate-resilient initiatives, the benefits of this project will crystallise over time,” he said.
A beneficiary, Mr Sagir Abubakar from Ciromawa community, said farmers under the project had collectively generated and saved N21 million.
“Out of this, N20 million has been deposited in the bank, while N1.3 million was shared among members to enable them to buy seedlings,” he said.
NAN reports that each of the hubs will provide clusters of farmers with access to modern machinery and technical services for land preparation, planting, harvesting, processing and storage.
The facilities are equipped with tractors, power tillers, planters, harvesters and threshers, operated by trained technicians.
Highlights of the event included the formal commissioning of the Kadawa hub by Ahmad, a tour of the facility and a tree-planting exercise.
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