By Jabiru Hassan
The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has invested about ₦800 million in capacity-building programmes for stakeholders, including direct beneficiaries and project staff, to strengthen skills and ensure the sustainability of agricultural initiatives after the project’s completion.
Speaking during the opening of a training workshop on Artificial Insemination (AI) at the Kadawa Artificial Insemination Centre, KSADP Project Coordinator, Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, said the training aims to equip participants with the knowledge and technical skills required for effective livestock management in Kano State.
According to Muhammad, the artificial insemination training forms part of KSADP’s broader objective to revive and institutionalize AI practices in the state, thereby improving livestock productivity and sustainability.
He noted that Kano remains a leading hub in Nigeria’s livestock industry, with more than 1.21 million households engaged in cattle rearing, 1.46 million in goat farming, and 1.15 million in sheep production. Recent sub-national GDP data show that livestock contributed over N1.73 trillion to the state’s economy in 2023.
Muhammad further explained that KSADP—funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund—has renovated the Kadawa AI Centre, procured five exotic bulls, and supplied modern equipment to enhance its efficiency. He added that the centre, previously abandoned, is now being upgraded for improved service delivery and long-term sustainability.
“Recently, we earmarked ₦125 million for additional upgrades at the centre, including input provision, fence reconstruction, and the establishment of a two-hectare fodder farm to ensure feed availability,” he said.
He urged trainees to make the most of the opportunity, emphasizing that the success of the project’s objectives—particularly in breed improvement and increased milk production—depends on their commitment and efficiency.
One of the participants, Sulaiman Audu, expressed appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund for supporting the initiative, noting that the training would significantly enhance their professional capacity.
The capacity-building workshop, conducted in partnership with the Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano, covers both theoretical and practical aspects of artificial insemination. Modules include semen collection, freezing and storage, animal health management, breed selection, and record-keeping.
