Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf has lamented low productivity and post-harvest losses in the state’s agriculture, saying that the challenges were affecting the growth of the sector.
Yusuf also identified limited market access and inadequate financial services as the factors negating the agriculture sector in the state.
He made the remark on Monday while declaring open a two-day biannual review meeting on Implementation of Food Systems Transformation Pathways In Nigeria for North-West and North-East Zones held in Kano.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Shehu Sagagi,the Governor said the state was proud to be one of the leading agricultural hubs in Nigeria, with farming being the lifeblood of its economy.
“Our farmers work tirelessly to ensure that we have enough food, and agriculture continues to provide livelihoods for more than 60 per cent of our people.
”Yet, we are fully aware that this sector faces many challenges which range from low productivity, post-harvest losses to limited market access and inadequate financial services.
“These issues not only affect the growth of our agricultural sector but also limit the potential of our farmers, particularly smallholders.
”This is why the National Food System Transformation Pathways Project is both timely and critical,” he said.
According to Yusuf, the project addresses many of the pressing issues facing farmers in the state.
He said, ”It focuses on capacity building on emerging farming techniques, market access, resilience to climate risks down to the best food preparation techniques.
“The National Food System Transformation Pathways is offering our farmers the tools they need to not only survive but to thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.”
Earlier,the North-West Coordinator of the project, Lauratu Diso, said the two zones were bedeviled by the menaces of bandits, kidnappers and insurgents, making farming activities virtually impossible in some areas.
“Hence, these zones become the most vulnerable among all, in terms of malnutrition and hunger scale.
“Therefore, we must double our efforts in eradicating this menace.
We must put all hands on deck to do whatever
it takes to change this narrative or change the negative situation into a positive one.
“This could only be possible through effective implementation of Food System Transformation Path Ways in all farms,
and will only be possible through collaboration and coordination,” Diso said.
NAN
