Paris Agric Show: Kano Targets Higher Crop Yields Through New Partnerships

The Kano State Government targets improved agricultural productivity and higher incomes for farmers through new partnerships initiated during its participation in the Paris International Agricultural Show in France.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmud, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of the recent working visit by a state delegation led by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Mahmud 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, improved seeds and climate-smart agricultural technologies.

According to him, one of the key outcomes of the visit is a proposed collaboration with leading agricultural research institutions and agribusiness companies to introduce high-yield and climate-resilient seed varieties capable of significantly boosting farm output in Kano.

He 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.

“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,” Mahmud said.

The commissioner noted that the seeds are designed to withstand drought and other climatic challenges, enabling farmers to maintain stable harvests despite changing weather conditions.

He added that 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.

Mahmud further disclosed that discussions during the exhibition also covered livestock and dairy development, particularly modern feeding systems and improved breeding technologies aimed at boosting milk production.

He said the delegation also held talks with agricultural machinery manufacturers on possible partnerships to scale up local production of farm implements such as threshers, mini tractors and solar-powered equipment.

According to him, the collaboration could eventually position Kano as a manufacturing hub for agricultural equipment in northern Nigeria and parts of West Africa.

Mahmud added that the state’s network of about 1,500 agricultural extension workers would play a critical role in training farmers to adopt the new technologies once the partnerships take effect.