The federal government’s drive to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector has recorded a significant milestone, with over 12,000 farmers across eight local government areas of Kano state in 2025, benefited from climate-smart agricultural inputs under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.
The intervention comes as the SAPZ Programme intensifies community engagement and awareness campaigns across additional catchment areas to broaden participation and deepen grassroots impact.
The SAPZ initiative, a flagship agro-industrialisation programme, is being implemented in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Islamic Development Bank, the African Development Bank, participating state governments, and private sector investors.
Currently operational in seven states—Kano, Kaduna, Imo, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo, and Ogun—as well as the Federal Capital Territory, the programme is designed to attract private investment into agro-processing, enhance food security, create employment, and reduce reliance on food imports.
Speaking on the development, the Knowledge Management and Communication Officer of the SAPZ Kano Programme, Hajiya Rabi Mustafa Sadiq, said the initiative is focused on empowering smallholder farmers, agro-processors, traders, and service providers, particularly women and youth.
She noted that the programme is structured around key components, including the development of Agro-Industrial Hubs, improved agricultural productivity and market linkages, strengthened policy and institutional support, and effective programme coordination.
In 2025, about 15,463 smallholder farmers were profiled across major value chains in eight LGAs, reflecting the programme’s growing reach and impact in the state.
Additionally, over 12,000 farmers have benefited from a matching grant scheme providing climate-smart inputs for rice, tomato, and groundnut production.
The scheme promotes shared responsibility, with women contributing 20 per cent of input costs, men 30 per cent, and youth 25 per cent, while the programme covers the remaining balance.
To strengthen value chain integration, the SAPZ Kano Programme has established a Multi-Stakeholder Agribusiness Forum, bringing together farmers, processors, financial institutions, and relevant government agencies.
As part of expansion efforts, the ongoing awareness campaign targets additional LGAs—Dawakin Kudu, Kumbotso, Tofa, Gwarzo, Madobi, Shanono, Minjibir, and Gabasawa where stakeholders are being sensitised on programme opportunities and participation processes.
On his part, Dr. Auwal Muhammad highlighted the introduction of a Matching Grant Facility in the new LGAs to improve access to inputs, support value addition, promote climate resilience, and strengthen market linkages.
He added that the programme targets 75,000 direct beneficiaries in Kano and Ogun states, beneficiaries, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons, with expected outcomes of increased productivity and improved livelihoods across key agricultural value chains.
Meanwhile, traditional leaders in the 8 benefiting LGAs have commended the initiative and pledged continued support, urging participants to effectively utilise the opportunities and extend the benefits within their communities.