Kaduna govt, FAO sign agreement to enhance agriculture

The Kaduna State Government and the United Nations have signed a Technical Cooperation Project, through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), to address food security and leverage its potential, in agriculture.

The Technical Cooperation Project also seeks to support smallholder farmers so as to address hunger and malnutrition and to stimulate inclusive socio-economic growth in Kaduna State.

The project titled, “Smart Tomato Value Chain Enhancement Through Sustainable Practices for Livelihood Improvement in Kaduna State”, was signed at the Government House in Kaduna on Thursday, February 13, 2025.

Speaking, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said: “Kaduna State holds great potential for Nigeria’s food security as the leading producer of many agricultural produce, including ginger, maize, soybean, tomato, and sorghum etc.

“Agriculture accounts for more than 51% of our GDP and employs more than 70% of our population, mostly youth that make up nearly half of our over 10 million population.

“We are also blessed with favourable climatic conditions that support the production of a vast array of agricultural produce and year-round agricultural activities.

“Kaduna State is one of the leading tomato-producing states in the country. It is our hope that this new partnership will catalyse our rapid progression toward attaining and maintaining the coveted top spot as a major producer in Nigeria and West Africa.

“The primary source of income for the majority of the people is agriculture; that is why we allocated about N74 billion or 9.3% of our 2025 budget, in our effort towards meeting the 2014 Malabo Declaration of 10% budgetary allocation to agriculture.”

Uba Sani: I’m committed to good healthcare delivery system in Kaduna

Sani stated that the budgetary allocation to agriculture demonstrates his administration’s commitment to food security and sustainable livelihood, even as a sub-national government.

He however argued that accelerating agricultural growth and transformation is capital-intensive, adding: “That is why the Kaduna State Government welcomes this opportunity to partner with the FAO and enhance our tomato production value chain through sustainable practices.”

In his remarks, FAO Country Representative Koffy Dominique Kouacou said the organisation is committed to strengthening the tomato value chain – addressing challenges in production, post-harvest and strengthening cooperatives.

He added that FAO will focus on enhancing production techniques to improve yields and quality and reduce post-harvest losses through better storage, processing and infrastructure development.

Kouacou said FAO will continuously advocate for agricultural transformation and sustainable food systems in the North-West region and Kaduna State in particular.

The Star