….State Moves to Boost Food Security Through Agricultural Value Chain Development
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has disbursed N400 million to 10 community interest groups of young entrepreneurs to support agribusiness initiatives aimed at enhancing food security in the state and across Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, Governor Yusuf announced the funding during the disbursement of the N400 million Community Revolving Fund to 10 interest groups from four local government areas. The event, held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, was organized by the Kano Agro-Climatic Resilience Landscape (ACReSAL) in collaboration with the World Bank.
The governor explained that each group would receive N40 million ($25,000), with individual beneficiaries expected to receive at least N1 million as startup capital for agricultural value chain businesses, fostering self-sufficiency and economic empowerment.
Governor Yusuf highlighted that the initiative aims to register community interest groups and farmers’ cooperatives in selected areas for climate-resilient agribusiness ventures. He urged beneficiaries to utilize the funds judiciously to ensure that more youth across the state can benefit from the ACReSAL program.
He also noted that through ACReSAL initiatives, Kano State has made significant strides in addressing environmental challenges.
The governor directed the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahir Muhammad Hashim, who previously served as the ACReSAL coordinator, to develop additional strategic programs for environmental sustainability.
In his remarks, Dr. Hashim encouraged beneficiaries to make effective use of the revolving fund, emphasizing that international donor agencies are ready to support the state further—provided this project succeeds.
The National Coordinator of the ACReSAL Program, Alhaji Abdulhamid Umar, commended the Kano State Government for its commitment to youth empowerment and efforts to reduce unemployment through strategic partnerships.
