THE high cost of agricultural machines, lack of awareness, and poor infrastructure are some challenges affecting smallholder farmers in Nigeria. However, the Kano Agropastoral Development Project, KSADP, funded by the Kano State Government, the Islamic Development Bank, IsDB, and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, LLF is bringing assistance to farmers in Kano State through the distribution of simple planters as part of activities to improve crop productivity and income in the state.
The project recently commenced the distribution of 100 units of single-row hand-pushed planters to farmers through its implementing partner, Sasakawa Africa Association. The planters are being distributed to farmers across different farming communities in the forty-four LGAs of the state to enhance their productivity by providing them access to efficient planting and fertilizer application equipment.
The SAA/KSADP Project Coordinator, Mr Abdulrasheed Hamisu Kofarmata, said the distribution of the planters is part of ongoing efforts to support smallholder farmers in the state by providing them access to efficient and affordable agricultural tools. “The KSADP through SAA is helping our farmers to increase their productivity and income levels, which will ultimately lead to improved food security and livelihoods for rural households,” he said.
Also, during the presentation ceremony in Kano, Mallam Isa, one of the beneficiaries from Bunkure Community, expressed his gratitude to the KSADP for the kind gesture. “This planter will make my work much easier and help me produce more crops, increasing my yield and income,” he said. “Thank you, KSADP, IsDB, and partners for this support.”
Single-row hand-pushed planters are simple agricultural tools that can make a big difference in the lives of smallholder farmers. They are easy to use and operate, and they can help farmers plant seeds more evenly and efficiently, leading to increased crop yields and higher incomes.
Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), implementing the crop component of the KSADP, is committed to supporting smallholder farmers in Kano State to improve their productivity and income levels by providing farmers with services, such as training, access to inputs, and market linkages, to build a more sustainable and food-secure future for Kano State.
