Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, spotlighted the state’s progress in agricultural development at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda, showcasing Kano’s commitment to sustainable farming practices.
During a side event organized by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) and its partners, Governor Yusuf, represented by Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, Kano’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, emphasized the importance of climate-smart strategies and private sector partnerships in ensuring the long-term resilience and sustainability of Kano’s agricultural sector.
Governor Yusuf praised the collaborative efforts, particularly the Sasakawa Africa Association, in enhancing food security and driving agricultural transformation in Kano and Nigeria. He highlighted the successes of the Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP), funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, noting that these initiatives align with the state’s broader agricultural agenda aimed at empowering smallholder farmers and opening new opportunities for sustainable agriculture.
The governor also stressed the significance of private sector engagement in fostering agricultural growth and advancing climate mitigation efforts. He recognized the positive impact of the Sasakawa Africa Association in improving crop yields through the adoption of advanced technologies and climate-smart practices, particularly in rice, millet, sorghum, and maize production.
Dr. Makoto Kitanaka, President of the Sasakawa Africa Association, and Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director of Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria, also spoke at the event. They underscored the need for sustainable agricultural transformation to combat rural poverty and highlighted the potential of agricultural progress in Nigeria to address broader socio-economic challenges.
The side event, themed “Food Systems Transformation: Emerging Insights from Mega Initiatives,” brought together key stakeholders and leaders from various organizations dedicated to transforming food systems in Africa. Participants included representatives from Sasakawa Africa Association, the Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP), and other notable organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Islamic Development Bank, and African Development Bank.
