The Kano State Government says it is exploring partnerships with international agricultural research organizations to boost crop productivity and modernize farming practices in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Friday after attending the Paris International Agricultural Show in France.
He said the global agricultural exhibition, held from February 21 to March 1, brought together more than 2,000 companies and covered major aspects of agriculture, including crop protection, mechanization, livestock production, seed development and modern farming technologies.
According to him, the state government held meetings with international research institutions such as SIRAT and IRA, as well as other agricultural partners, to explore collaboration in areas of high-yield seed development and climate-smart agriculture.
Mahmoud explained that the discussions focused on introducing improved seeds capable of significantly increasing farm productivity while resisting drought and other climate-related challenges.
“In Kano, rice productivity per hectare ranges between 35 and 50 bags in many cases. In some irrigated areas like Kadawa and Kaffinchuri, farmers can produce up to 80 bags.
“But with the improved seeds developed by some of the research partners we met, a hectare can produce up to 140 bags,” Mahmoud said.
He said the improved varieties were climate-smart and drought-resistant, noting that they could help farmers maintain higher yields even under irregular rainfall conditions.
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The commissioner added that the state government planned to establish demonstration farms to showcase the performance of the improved seeds and encourage farmers to adopt them.
He also said the partnerships would help address the challenge of adulterated and fake seeds in local markets, which had been affecting farmers’ productivity.
Mahmoud said discussions were also held with manufacturers of agricultural machinery on possible collaboration to improve access to modern farm implements.
According to him, the proposed collaboration includes the supply and possible local fabrication of equipment such as threshers, handheld tractors and solar-powered farming tools.
He noted that such collaboration could strengthen local manufacturing capacity and enable Kano to produce agricultural implements for use within the state and across West Africa.
The commissioner said the initiatives would also support livestock production through improved animal feed and better dairy management practices aimed at increasing milk output.
He added that the state government would soon sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with some of the organizations to formalize the partnerships.
He emphasized that the government would not adopt genetically modified seeds, noting that the focus remained on scientifically developed but non-GMO improved varieties suitable for the region.
The commissioner further revealed that Kano currently had about 1,500 agricultural extension workers — the largest number in Northern Nigeria — following the recent recruitment of additional personnel.
He said the state government was also expanding irrigation infrastructure, including a dam project with a capacity of about three billion cubic liters of water and irrigation facilities across 11 Local Government Areas.
He expressed optimism that the initiatives, alongside international partnerships, would attract private sector investment and significantly improve farmers’ livelihoods in the state.
