THE REVOLUTION IN KADUNA
During a recent interview, Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani spoke about the significant strides his administration has made in agriculture in the past 16 months. His comments came in light of President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day speech on October 1, 2024, where the president outlined the government’s commitment to addressing food security and supporting agricultural production. While Tinubu praised several governors for their agricultural initiatives, Sani felt that Kaduna’s efforts were overlooked.
“In my tenure, I’ve made agriculture a priority, as it contributes 42.8% to our state’s GDP. Instead of pursuing high-profile projects like flyovers, I’m focused on improving rural infrastructure,” Sani stated. He explained that building a flyover costs as much as constructing numerous rural roads, which are essential for helping farmers transport their goods to market. “We’ve initiated 69 rural roads, most of which are now completed, benefitting the local economies,” he added.
Sani’s administration allocated N22.54 billion to agriculture in its 2024 budget, marking a substantial increase from previous years. He emphasized the role of security in farming, partnering with federal authorities to ensure that farmers can work safely. To further support smallholder farmers, Sani has traveled across the state, distributing seedlings and agro-chemicals, which has encouraged more farmers to cultivate their lands.
Highlighting Kaduna’s agricultural success, Sani noted that the state leads national production in ginger and maize and is second in soybean production. He also discussed recent partnerships aimed at enhancing the agricultural value chain. “Just two months ago, we partnered with Star-Agri from India to modernize our state-owned warehouses and silos, improving efficiency and reducing post-harvest losses. This initiative will not only support over one million farmers but also create over 2,500 jobs,” he explained.
Additionally, Sani revealed plans for an industrial park in collaboration with Hubei Province in China, an investment worth over $200 million aimed at boosting local agriculture and infrastructure. “We’re constructing the Hubei Industrial Park which will attract Chinese investors, creating numerous opportunities for growth in Kaduna,” he said.
The governor also mentioned a newly initiated $50 million soybean oil refining plant expected to produce 500,000 liters per day, along with distribution initiatives that provided 40,000 farmers with free supplies earlier this year. This effort, tagged ‘A Koma Gona’ or ‘Get Back to Farm,’ reflects Sani’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector.
With recent government efforts providing seedlings, fertilizers, and tools to approximately 120,000 small farmers, Sani stressed the nonpartisan nature of the initiative. “We identified farmers through community leaders and NGOs, not political affiliations. Our goal is to support Kaduna farmers without political bias,” he affirmed.
Given these extensive support systems in place, it’s clear why farmers in Kaduna are motivated and ready to cultivate their lands.