Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has emphasized the importance of implementing climate-smart actions and fostering partnerships with the private sector to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the state’s agricultural sector
Yusuf stated this on Monday at an event of Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda organized by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) and partners, in Kigali, Rwanda.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud, Governor Yusuf lauded the collaborative efforts of organizations, particularly the Sasakawa Africa Association, in advancing food security and promoting agricultural transformation in Kano and Nigeria at large.
He specifically highlighted the pivotal role of the Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP), an initiative of the state government with funding support from the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Funds.
The KSADP is driving the state’s agricultural development agenda while embracing climate-smart practices to ensure sustainability.
Eageleyes report that ths Governor highlighted Kano’s significant strides in agricultural development, reaffirming the state’s commitment to sustainable agricultural initiatives.
According to a statement issued by Moses Nongoatse, Communication Officer, Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria, on Tuesday, the governor stated “The Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP) funded by the Islamic Development Bank and Lives and Livelihoods Funds has achieved massive gains.
The statement said,Governor Yusuf stressed the state’s dedication to expanding opportunities for agricultural development and engaging private enterprises in climate mitigation initiatives.
He commended the Sasakawa Africa Association for its support in crop protection and production, noting significant yield increases in rice, millet, sorghum and maize due to the adoption of advanced technologies and climate-smart agricultural practices by Kano farmers.
The governor hailed the Sasakawa Africa Association for its efforts in strengthening the state crop value chain, describing it as a valuable partner in crop protection and production.
In the statement, President of the Sasakawa Africa Association, Dr. Makoto Kitanaka, expressed optimism in his welcome remarks and encouraged partners to use the discussions as an opportunity to review approaches and channel investments for greater impact.
Country Director of Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria, Dr Godwin Atser, also spoke, underscoring the impact of the KSADP and emphasizing the crucial role of agriculture in addressing rural poverty.
Dr Atser highlighted the need for sustainable agricultural transformation to alleviate poverty, noting that substantial progress in the agricultural sector could have a transformative impact on poverty reduction while mitigating climate change.
He reiterated the commitment of the Sasakawa Africa Association, supported by the Nippon Foundation, to assist the government’s efforts in achieving food, nutrition, and income security for smallholder farmers in Nigeria by promoting climate-smart technologies and the adoption of regenerative, market-oriented and nutrition-sensitive agriculture practices.
The event, themed “Food systems transformation: Emerging insights from mega initiatives,” convened key stakeholders and leaders of organizations working towards food system transformation in Africa.
Participants included representatives from The Sasakawa Africa Association headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and its Strategic partnership office in Ethiopia, as well as country offices in Uganda, Mali, Nigeria and Ethiopia.
Other participating organizations include the Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP), the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II), AGRA, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Islamic Development Bank, and African Development Bank.
The discussions highlighted the collaborative efforts of various organizations and underscored the potential of sustainable agricultural transformation in addressing poverty and fostering long-term food security and sustainable development.
Over 5000 delegates including heads of governments and institutions across the globe are attending the Africa food system forum 2024 forum themed: Innovate, Accelerate, Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era from September 2 to 6, 2024.
