The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme says it has empowered over 1000 farmer in Kano State.
A breakdown of the figure shows that 505 rice farmers and 504 tomatoes farmers benefited from the empowerment.
National Programme Coordinator of SAPZ, Dr Kabir Yusuf, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, at the ongoing Field Day activity in Kano.
He explained that the aim of the activity was to connect smallholder farmers to viable markets, which he described as a crucial step towards reducing post-harvest losses and increasing farmers’ incomes.
While noting that lack of reliable buyers has long caused losses for tomato farmers, Yusuf stressed that SAPZ’s core goal is to ensure access to market.
“Through a series of training sessions on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) and the provision of a full package of inputs, SAPZ is equipping farmers with the necessary tools to improve productivity and profitability.
“As part of our commitment to agricultural development, this partnership will ensure that farmers not only produce but also have access to guaranteed markets for their produce.
“Transformative impact on farmers under the IFAD-SAPZ pilot scheme is 1,009 farmers, specifically 505 rice farmers and 504 tomato farmers, have benefited from the programme,” he said.
Yusuf said the initiative is being piloted in Kura and Bagwai LGAs, aiming to reach 14,000 farmers across 16 LGAs in Kano.
He said the first phase of SAPZ is underway in eight states, including Kano and FCT, with more to be added in the second phase.
A tomato farmer from Watari Cluster in Bagwai LGA, Isah Ibrahim, who benefited from the empowerment, expressed gratitude for the programme, calling it a “turning point” for tomato farmers.
“Before now, we never fully understood that farming is a business. But with the training and support from SAPZ, we now approach farming differently.
“In the past, I harvested between six and seven times per hectare, but with the improved practices introduced by SAPZ, I am now on my second harvest and anticipate up to ten additional harvests.
“Efficient use of agricultural inputs has significantly boosted my yields,” he said.
Ibrahim said SAPZ has tackled market access issues by linking tomato farmers with off-takers who buy at favourable prices.
He appreciated the programme, adding that buyers now come directly to their farms to purchase tomatoes at considerable prices.
One of the rice farmers, Mallama Hafsat, thanked SAPZ, IFAD, and the Kano State government for the support that led to a bumper harvest.
Speaking on the impact of the initiative, Hafsat acknowledged that prior to SAPZ’s intervention, traditional farming methods yielded poor results.
She stated that with training on good agronomic practices and access to critical farm inputs, her farming experience had been significantly transformed.
“Before SAPZ came in, our old ways of farming did not favour us, but now, we have been trained in modern techniques, such as nursery preparation before transplanting and proper spacing of rice plants. These have greatly improved our yield.
“My personal achievement through the improved harvest is that I was able to finance my daughter’s wedding, even after the death of my husband,” she said.
