Agriculture

Kano Farmers Record 100% Yield Increase Through SAPZ Groundnut Initiative

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2 weeks ago

October 23, 2025

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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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SAPZ Empowers 400 G/nut Farmers in Kano to boost productivity

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Agriculture

SAPZ Empowers 400 G/nut Farmers in Kano to boost productivity

Published

2 weeks ago

October 23, 2025

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Kano State Programme Implementation Unit of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), has supported 400 groundnut producers in Bebeji local government area to enhance productivity and promote climate-resilient agriculture.

The State Project Coordinator of the SAPZ Programme, MrAminu Iliyasu, disclosed this at the Groundnut Farmers’ Field Day held in Bebeji, aimed at showcasing innovative practices and increased yields among beneficiaries.

He said the beneficiaries, comprising 142 women and 258 men, received 800 bags of NPK fertiliser, 400 bags of Urea, and 400 bags of 50kg SAM Nut 24 seed variety as part of the Wet Season Support under the Matching Grant Implementation Scheme (MGIS).

According to him, the primary objectives of the field day included introducing new and improved groundnut varieties, promoting better farming techniques, encouraging technology adoption, and demonstrating practical solutions for crop health.

Others, he said, included facilitating peer learning, providing networking platforms for farmers, increasing yields and economic returns, and enhancing food and nutrition security.

Before the inputs distribution, Iliyasu explained that the farmers had earlier participated in a series of capacity-building sessions designed to improve their production techniques.

“These trainings covered good agronomic practices for groundnut producers, smart agricultural practices, and the use of weather information services,” he said.

The coordinator added that the programme also ensured the dissemination of weekly weather and climate advisory information to farmers, helping them make informed decisions throughout the cropping season.

Highlighting the impact of the initiative, Iliyasu said the adoption of the improved production technologies demonstrated by SAPZ had resulted in significant yield increases, in some cases up to 100 per cent.

He reaffirmed SAPZ’s commitment to strengthening climate-smart agriculture, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and enhancing food and nutrition security across Kano State.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Danjuma Mahmud,

reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the transformation of the agricultural transformation sector .

This, he explained, would be through the implementation of more plausible programmes aimed at further improving food security, rural incomes, and sustainable economic growth.

Mahmud, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Bashir Sanusi, said the event provided an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the state government in the agricultural sector and explore new market opportunities for farmers.

“Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf is deeply committed to creating opportunities that promote agricultural growth, ensure food security, and improve rural incomes,” Mahmud said.

The commissioner added that the government remained focused on implementing policies that would make the state self-reliant and prosperous through improved crop production, value addition, and private sector partnerships.

The commissioner commended the efforts of development partners, facilitators, and agricultural experts for their continuous support to the SAPZ programme and other agricultural initiatives in the state.

Hajiya Maryam Dankaka and Aliyu Musa, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended the efforts of development partners, facilitators, and agricultural experts for their continuous support to the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme and other agricultural initiatives in Kano State.

They, however, appealed to the SAPZ management to provide groundnut harvesting machines and ensure the timely distribution of improved seeds to enhance productivity and boost farmers’ yields.

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Agriculture

Sasakawa inaugurates IsDB-funded mechanisation hub in Kano

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2 months ago

September 3, 2025

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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.