By Lanre Shodimu
Kano State Farmers may soon begin to benefit from improved productivity and higher incomes following new agricultural partnerships initiated during the state government’s participation in an international agricultural exhibition in France.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Danjuma Mahmud, made this known on Friday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the recent working visit by a Kano State delegation, which included Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the Paris International Agricultural Show.
He said the exhibition, held between February 21 and March 2, brought together more than 2,000 companies and research organisations showcasing innovations in crop protection, farm mechanisation, livestock management, seeds and climate-smart agricultural technologies.
According to him, the state delegation participated in meetings, presentations and demonstrations aimed at improving food production and strengthening food security in Kano through modern agricultural practices.
“One of the key outcomes of the visit is a proposed collaboration with leading agricultural research institutions and companies to introduce high-yield, climate-resistant seeds capable of significantly increasing farm output in Kano State,” He said.
He further explained that rice yields in the state currently average between 35 and 50 bags per hectare, while highly irrigated areas such as Kadawa can produce up to 80 bags.
“However, with the improved seed varieties we are discussing with our partners, farmers could produce between 120 and 140 bags of rice per hectare, which means productivity could more than triple,” he said.
According to him, the new seed varieties are designed to withstand drought and other changing climatic conditions, enabling farmers to maintain stable harvests even in challenging weather.
“the state government plans to establish demonstration farms across Kano to showcase the effectiveness of the improved seeds before introducing them on a wider scale. The commissioner reveals
Beyond crop production, the commissioner said the discussions in France also covered livestock and dairy development, noting that modern animal feed systems and improved breeding technologies could significantly increase milk production from cattle.
Once introduced, these innovations will improve the income and livelihoods of dairy farmers across the state,” he said.
Mahmud also noted that the delegation held talks with manufacturers of agricultural machinery on possible partnerships to upgrade local production of farm implements.
“We discussed collaboration that will allow Kano-based fabricators to scale up the production of farm tools such as threshers, mini tractors and solar-powered equipment, which will make modern implements more accessible and affordable for farmers,” he said.
He added that such partnerships could eventually position Kano as a manufacturing hub for agricultural equipment in northern Nigeria and parts of West Africa.
The commissioner said the state government would rely on its large network of agricultural extension workers to ensure the successful adoption of the new technologies.
Kano currently has about 1,500 extension personnel, one of the largest agricultural advisory workforces in northern Nigeria, and they will play a key role in training farmers on the use of the new technologies,” Mahmud stated.
He also clarified that the seeds being considered are not genetically modified organisms (GMOs), assuring that they would undergo proper scientific verification to ensure they are suitable for local soil and environmental conditions.
Mahmud said the planned collaborations would complement ongoing agricultural investments by the Kano State Government, including irrigation projects, crop mapping initiatives and the establishment of Agricultural Transformation Centres and Industrial Hubs across key farming areas.
