Agricultural has been recognized as the major pillar of development in any Nation.
In recent times, the sector is faced with many challenges, which makes negative impact of it’s Development.
In this special report, Radio Nigeria correspondent take a look at the challenging factors of Agriculture in Kano state.
Some scholars say agriculture in Nigeria as a branch of the economy which provides employment for about 35% of the country’s population in the year 2020.
It is also believed that agriculture is the main source of livelyhood for most Nigerians.
The agricultural sector is made up of four sub sectors crop production, livestock, forestry and fishing.
Reports indicate that farmers are faced with various challenges from feeding an expanding global population to meeting rising demands which involves producing more food, insufficient financial support, lack of access to subsidized fertilizer and other farm inputs among others.
Meanwhile in Kano state, farmers decried over lack of subsidized fertilizer and other farm inputs which they believe would go a long way in boosting harvest these year.
Some of the rice and maize farmers in Kano, Abdullahi Rabi’u Hashim, Bana Kura, Rabi Sallau and Maimuna Adamu who spoke to Radio Nigeria said they are yet to receive any assistance from the government compared to last year, saying that a bag of fertilizer ranges from #14,000 to #11,300.
“Most of those receiving assistance are not farmers, government should ensure that credible people are saddled with the responsibilities of distributing farm inputs to farmers. Even though we applied online for the federal government’s intervention nothing has been done up till today”
The Special Adviser to Kano State Governor on Agriculture, Alhaji Hafiz Muhammad shed more light on what the state has done for farmers.
He explained that, 1,600 farmers including those with special needs had benefitted from the World Bank Grant under the APPEALS program as well as over 1.2 million that had benefitted from modern training on rice, tomato and wheat farming in addition to provision of fertilizer and farm inputs to boost agricultural production in the State.
“New improved techniques were taught to 1,700 extension workers under the Kano State Agricultural Development Authority (KNARDA) who will pass the knowledge gained to farmers. Beneficiaries of government’s intervention were selected from the grassroots, using the village and ward heads, forms were provided and filled before the selection process”.
Alhaji Hafiz Muhammad reaffirmed the State government’s commitment in monitoring and evaluating the selection and distribution of farm inputs to avoid diversion and other unethical activities.
KHADIJAH ALIYU