Kano moves to recruit 1,000 agric extension agents to improve farmers’ productivity

Determined to address challenges bedeviling agricultural growth in Kano, the State Agricultural and Rural Development Agency has concluded plans to recruit additional 1,000 extension workers to strengthen production and food security.

Although, Kano remains one of the states with the highest number of about 1,200 agents in the country, the gradual retirement and increasing population size of farmers are parts of the critical factors necessitating urgent replaced.

The Managing director, Dr. Farouk Kaurawa disclosed the government plan during a courtesy call paid by the managements of Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) and Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) as part of the KSADP/SAA media field day.

Dr. Kaurawa explained that the government is working hard to outgrow the size of extension agents and bridge the existing gap to the recommended one to 500 agent-to-farmers ratio, stressing that agriculture remains a critical sector receiving the attention of the NNPP administration.

The MD affirmed the negative impact of post-harvest loss farmers contend with annually, he added that the government will soon deploy technology to cut down about 40 per cent of production loss. Dr. Farouk revealed that the government is rolling out tractors’ distribution to service providers who will engage farmers to render mechanize production.

State Program Coordinator, KSADP, Garba Ibrahim disclosed that the visit to the state agric agency was part of activities slated to mark annual KSADP/SAA media field day.

According to Ibrahim, the $95 million agro pastoral project being funded by Islamic Development Bank and Lives and Livelihood Funds with counterparts funding from Kano State Government is aimed to empower smallholders farmers, create job opportunity and food security in Kano.

The State Program Coordinator explained that the project being implemented by Sasakawa Africa Association SAA with focus on cereals and vegetable components has impacted on the lives 450,000 farmers across the 44 local government areas of the state.

Ibrahim emphasized that KSADP/SAA project transforming the lives of Rice, Sorghum, Maize, tomatoes, cabbage farmers in the areas of improved production, processing and marketing value chain.

KSADP/SAA project Communications Officer, Moses Nongoate told hinted that the media field day was intended to showcase impact of intervention and create opportunity for invited journalists to interface with the beneficiaries on their experiences.

Nongoate said the week long engagement will enable practical experience with the end result of KSADP/SAA technological application in the area of Regenerative Agriculture, Nutrition Sensitivitive and Agricultural Enterprise.

Determined to address challenges bedeviling agricultural growth in Kano, the State Agricultural and Rural Development Agency has concluded plans to recruit additional 1,000 extension workers to strengthen production and food security. Although, Kano remains one of the states with the highest number of about 1,200 agents in the country, the gradual retirement and increasing population…
Determined to address challenges bedeviling agricultural growth in Kano, the State Agricultural and Rural Development Agency has concluded plans to recruit additional 1,000 extension workers to strengthen production and food security. Although, Kano remains one of the states with the highest number of about 1,200 agents in the country, the gradual retirement and increasing population…
The Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yusha'u Ahmed has inaugurated a Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Centre at the Delta State Orientation Camp in Issele-Uku. Speaking at the inauguration, General Ahmed said the centre would serve as morale booster in the training of Corps Members in vocational skills. NYSC spokesperson Eddy…
The Bauchi State Police Command has said that its operatives have arrested a 25-year-old man who stole a car during evening prayer at a mosque in Zaria, Kaduna State. Spokesman of the Command, Ahmed Wakil in a statement on Wednesday night, said that the suspect was apprehended along Jos-Bauchi road during a stop-and-search exercise after…
President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the appointment of Wura-Ola Adepoju as the substantive Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Adepoju, who has been serving as the acting CG since May 29, 2023, disclosed the development to staffs of the NIS during the Comptroller General’s parade on Wednesday. She added that the date…
The flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, on Thursday hit out at the government over the ongoing demolition of properties across Nigeria. Obi in a statement on X said he has been following the demolitions with complete despondency and unhappiness, especially knowing the extra hardship such acts have…
Governor Umaru Mohamed Bago of Niger State has signed an executive order aimed at achieving an effective implementation of the green economy policy. The Executive order which was cited as "the Niger State Green Economy Initiative Order (No.3), 2023 orders shall be driven by the State Blueprint that details the strategic pillars and outlines the…
Suspected armed robbers have killed the director of finance at the governor's office Taiwo Oyekanmi. A witness said the robbers waylaid the homemade bullion van conveying Oyekanmi shortly after he left a branch of Fidelity Bank in Abeokuta, the state capital. According to the witness, the victim's vehicle was ascending the overhead bridge in the…
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has directed the biometric verification and capturing of all staff of the local government in the state. This directive was disclosed in a public service announcement signed by the secretary to the state government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia. According to the announcement, the exercise will commence on the 1st of…
In commemoration of the international day of PWDs, stakeholders in the private, public, and civil society sectors are set to address issues affecting Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria. The address will be made at the eighth annual disability dialogue and Disability Inclusion and Leadership (DIAL) awards which will be hosted by Project Enable Africa.…
Frontline association of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has congratulated High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) on the award of Honorary Doctorate Degree, Honoris Causa in philosophy in Education, on him by the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Delta State. The IYN said that the recognition given to the Coordinator of the Tantita…