Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna state has inaugurated the distribution of farm inputs and agro-processing equipment to 40,000 small-holder farmers under his ‘A Koma Gona-Back to farm initiative’.

The event, marking the celebration of his first year in office, took place in Ikara Local Government Area and targeted beneficiaries in the northern senatorial zone of the state.

Mr Sani highlighted Kaduna’s status as the largest producer of ginger, maize, and tomatoes in Nigeria but lamented the post-harvest losses farmers face, especially with perishable produce like tomatoes.
He also pledged to revive plans for a tomato processing plant in Ikara to mitigate these losses.

Mr Sani stated, “Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, providing employment and sustaining livelihoods. Kaduna State is blessed with huge agricultural potential.

“Our administration has implemented programmes and policies to boost the sector and attract the necessary investment for its growth and development.”

Mr Sani emphasised the importance of supporting small-holder farmers and small-scale agro-processors amid the current economic challenges.

“These farmers are crucial to our quest for food security. Our ‘Tallafin Noma – A Koma Noma’ programme.

”This is part of our ‘Sustainable Livelihoods Through Social Interventions and Economic Empowerment Initiative, aimed at supporting at least 40,000 small-holder farmers and cooperatives across the 23 LGAs.

“The Tallafin Noma programme includes distributing improved maize seed, agrochemicals, NPK and urea fertilisers for crop production.

”For livestock production, it provides 30-day-old chicks (broilers) with feed and drugs, and 50 juvenile catfish with feed and drugs for fisheries,

“To enhance micro-mechanisation, power tillers with necessary equipment are distributed to farmer cooperative groups,” Mr Sani explained.

“Our administration has implemented programmes and policies to boost the sector and attract the necessary investment for its growth and development.”

Mr Sani emphasised the importance of supporting small-holder farmers and small-scale agro-processors amid the current economic challenges.

Other items distributed included knapsack sprayers with personal protection equipment given to individuals for agrochemicals application.

Similarly, agro-processors received vegetable grinders, while cooperatives received hammer mills, haulers, and threshers.

The governor said, “These processing machines will add value to our agricultural produce and improve the livelihoods of individuals and groups involved in agro-processing activities.”

He further urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the inputs and equipment.

In his remarks, the commissioner for agriculture, Murtala Dabo, praised the initiative for boosting food security and revitalising the rural economy.

The Ikara Local Government chairman, Sadiq  Salihu, expressed gratitude for the governor’s commitment to farmers’ welfare and prosperity, noting that initiatives like Tallafin Noma were transforming the rural communities.

(NAN)