Kano Reclaims 1,200 Acres Of Farmland, Targets 2,000 More

The Kano State Government says it has reclaimed 1,200 acres of farmland through the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities and is targeting an additional 2,000 acres through ongoing irrigation projects across the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud, disclosed this during a briefing on the achievements of the ministry in the last three years.

Mahmoud said the government had also commenced the construction of a major irrigation dam at Dansoshia, which is expected to provide 500 hectares of irrigable land.

He said the dam project, which had reached 40 per cent completion, was being supported by a 14-kilometre access road to facilitate the movement of construction equipment to the site.

The commissioner added that the government had secured approval for 11 mini irrigation schemes and earth dams across 11 local government areas, which would provide an additional 2,000 acres of irrigable farmland when completed.

He listed the benefiting areas as Albasu, Kibiya, Sumaila, Doguwa, Shanono, Dawakin Kudu, Gaya, Rogo, Bichi, Dawakin Tofa and ungogo.

According to him, compensation has been paid in six locations, while contractors have mobilised to some sites, including Albasu.

Mahmoud said the ministry also rehabilitated irrigation facilities at Kadawa and Bunkure among others, recovering more than 1,200 acres of farmland for cultivation.

He explained that the administration established a farmers’ database shortly after assuming office in July 2023 to improve agricultural planning, budgeting and the distribution of interventions.

On fertiliser distribution, the commissioner said the state and local governments procured nearly 700 trucks of fertiliser over the last three years for distribution to farmers across the 44 local government areas.

He added that the state procured more than 54 trucks of fertiliser from the Kano State Agricultural Supply Company in 2024, while the Federal Government supplied about 70 trucks in the same year.

The commissioner said the government had also acquired tractors, combine harvesters, threshers, forklifts, solar-powered irrigation pumps and other modern agricultural equipment to improve mechanised farming.

He said the equipment, alongside rice mills, would be distributed free to registered farmers’ cooperatives that meet the required standards of accountability and corporate governance.

Mahmoud further disclosed that the government had completed more than 70 milk collection centres with support from the Islamic Development Bank(IDB), to improve milk preservation and hygiene among pastoral communities.

He said the ministry had also upgraded cattle markets in several locations and the Dawanau grain market, while constructing 72 kilometres of farm access roads in partnership with the IDB to ease the transportation of agricultural produce.

On farmers-herders clashes, the commissioner said the government had demarcated 1,270 kilometres of cattle routes across the state, a development he said had reduced conflicts between farmers and herders.

He added that livestock empowerment programmes had also supported farmers, women and youths with cattle, goats and rams, alongside animal feed and veterinary drugs to boost household income.