Writing By Daniel Karlmax, Editing By Godwin Duru
Kaduna State Government says agriculture contributes almost fifteen percent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The state is blessed with vast arable land and enterprising farmers, making it the leading producer of ginger, maize, and grapes, as well as the second-largest producer of soya beans in Nigeria.
Governor Uba Sani disclosed this at the Forty Seventh National Council on Agriculture and Food Security, held in Kaduna, with the theme “Food Sovereignty and Food Security in an Era of Renewed Hope.”
According to the governor, agriculture has been placed at the core of the state’s governance agenda.
He described agriculture as both a moral and economic imperative, the foundation of rural transformation and the engine of inclusive development.
Governor Sani noted that within two years, Kaduna State had increased its agricultural budget from one point eight to over nine billion naira, a sharp rise from zero point five to twelve point five percent of the state’s total budget this year, representing an almost five thousand percent increase.
As part of the government’s commitment to the sector, the governor revealed that over nine thousand trucks of fertilizer were distributed free of charge to small holder farmers across all local government areas of the state.
In addition, thousands of farmers, according to him have received improved seeds, irrigation tools, and farm mechanization equipment, alongside the distribution of animal feeds and vaccines to livestock garmers, aimed at boosting productivity and improving livelihoods.
To reduce production costs, promote job creation, and stabilize market prices, the government, according to the governor, has ensured access to fertilizers at subsidized rates for commercial farmers to enhance competitiveness in the global market.
Addressing the growing impact of climate change, Governor Sani said that over one thousand small holder farmers have been enrolled in a comprehensive agricultural insurance scheme designed to protect them against losses from diseases, adverse weather conditions, and other risks.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for repositioning the agricultural sector and placing it at the center of Nigeria’s economic architecture, particularly through policies promoting mechanization, value chain integration, improved input systems, and the modernization of rural infrastructure.
The National Council on Agriculture and Food Security is Nigeria’s highest policy forum for the agricultural sector.
It brings together federal and state governments, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to review progress, align strategies, and strengthen partnerships that drive innovation, best practices, and inclusive growth across the agricultural value chain.
Daniel Karlmax
