By Leo Abel Zwànke, Lafia
Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) will lead a distinguished group of 20 state governors and representatives from 10 African nations at a workshop dedicated to the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)-funded Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP).
The two-day event, scheduled for October 7-8, 2024, in Kano, aims to showcase the achievements of the KSADP and explore how its agricultural transformation model can be replicated across other states.
Organized by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) in collaboration with the IsDB and the Kano State Government, the workshop will focus on the theme: “Agricultural Transformation and What Works: Reflections from the Crop Value Chain of the Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP).”
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf will host the event, which will welcome governors from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kwara, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun, Enugu, Cross River, Benue, Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, and Akwa Ibom states, along with representatives from various Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director of the Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria, described the workshop as an opportunity to highlight the KSADP’s successes and create networking avenues for governors to explore IsDB funding for agricultural initiatives in their regions.
“Over the past three years, KSADP has positioned Kano for sustainable agricultural growth through significant investments in climate-smart agriculture, livestock and dam development, post-harvest loss reduction, employment creation, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure development,” Atser noted.
He added that “Kano’s farming communities have achieved notable gains in productivity and livelihoods while fostering peaceful coexistence between crop and livestock farmers.”
Atser expressed appreciation for Obasanjo’s involvement, stating, “We are honored to have His Excellency, the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, chair this event. His vast experience in agricultural transformation across Nigeria and Africa is invaluable.”
Key activities at the workshop will include the launch of a large-scale mechanization support initiative for Kano farmers. Former IsDB Vice President for Country Programs, Dr. Mansur Mukhtar, who is now Board Chairman of the Bank of Industry, will also attend, alongside notable figures such as former Kano State Governor Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and SAA Board Chair Dr. Amit Roy.
Participants will witness the launch of a book titled “Sasakawa Africa Association: Three Decades of Fight Against Poverty and Hunger in Nigeria,” authored by Prof. Mohammed Khalid Othman.
The Sasakawa Africa Association is implementing the crop value chain component of the KSADP through a $19.3 million sub-grant, providing technical support to enhance agricultural productivity and competitiveness. The project focuses on improving farmers’ access to inputs, agribusiness development, and capacity building in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, private sector involvement, and human nutrition.
Currently, SAA is working with 450,000 smallholder farmers across Kano’s 44 local government areas, emphasizing value chains for rice, maize, sorghum, millet, tomatoes, onions, and cabbage.
The KSADP is recognized as a transformative initiative, and this high-level workshop is anticipated to offer insights into scaling similar projects across Nigeria and beyond.
