Writing by Khadija Aliyu;Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
As part of efforts to enhance food security and improve nutrition, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has launched the distribution of home gardening toolkits to 1,445 households across eight local government areas in Kano State.
The initiative, which falls under the SAPZ’s Targeted Nutrition Support Programme, aims to empower households particularly women and vulnerable groups by enabling them to cultivate nutrient-rich vegetables and crops within their homes.
The selected local government areas include Kura, Garun-Mallam, Bebeji, Dambatta, Gezawa, Dawakin Tofa, Bichi, and Bagwai.
Speaking during the official launch of the programme in Kano,the State Project Coordinator (SPC) of the SAPZ, Aminu Iliyasu, said the intervention is designed to promote household self-sufficiency, improve dietary diversity, and reduce dependency on external food sources.
According to Iliyasu, the toolkits will provide families with gardening tools and essential inputs tailored to their local environment, enabling them to grow a variety of vegetables and small-scale crops.
He emphasized that the initiative would help reduce household food expenses, provide opportunities to sell surplus produce for additional income, and foster greater economic stability by reducing vulnerability to food price fluctuations and shortages.
In a remark the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr.Danjuma Mahmoud,described the initiative as a significant step towards transforming agriculture from mere subsistence to a tool for empowerment and rural development.
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Bashir Sanusi, the Commissioner praised the SAPZ programme’s focus on women and youth, noting that it aligns closely with the state government’s agricultural development goals.
He highlighted complementary programmes already underway in the state under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, including livestock distribution to women and youth, mechanized farming equipment deployment, and the recruitment of over 1,000 young agricultural extension workers.
The SAPZ initiative is implemented in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), IFAD, and state governments, alongside private sector partners and local communities.
The programme is expected to result in increased production of nutrient-dense vegetables at the household level, contribute to the reduction of malnutrition, and support local economic activities through the procurement of materials from local suppliers.
Rel/Khadijah Aliyu.
