‘Post-Harvest Losses In Kano HAve Reduced by 51% ‘

The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), an implementing partner of the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), reports that post-harvest losses in targeted communities across Kano State have decreased by 51% following the deployment of improved agricultural technologies under the project.

Speaking during the 2025 KSADP Media Field Day in Kano on Tuesday, the KSADP/SAA Project Coordinator, Comrade Abdulrasheed Hamisu, said the intervention has also led to unprecedented increases in crop yields.

According to him, rice production recorded a 226 per cent rise from baseline figures, maize 161 per cent, soybeans 166 per cent, millet 152 per cent, tomatoes 50 per cent, cabbage 75 per cent, and onions 11.5 per cent.

Hamisu said the achievements were confirmed by external evaluators, who attributed the gains to strengthened seed systems, extensive farmer training, digital extension services and the adoption of modern agronomic practices.

He noted that the KSADP has so far reached 477,284 farmers, trained 854 extension agents and established 5,748 production clusters across the state. The project also deepened seed sector reforms through partnerships with research institutions, including IITA, ICRISAT and eight local seed companies.

“To reduce losses and expand value addition, we established 81 agro-processing centres, nine medium-scale rice mills, three tomato processing units, onion storage facilities, vegetable drying centres and mechanisation hubs across the three senatorial zones,” he said.

He added that thousands of farmers benefited from post-harvest and mechanisation inputs such as power tillers, threshers, planters, tractors, solar pumps, silos, seedling trays and mobile mills. In contrast, 11,228 farmer groups received training on market readiness.

SAA Country Director, Dr Godwin Atser, described the project—funded by the Islamic Development Bank, the Lives and Livelihood Funds and the Kano State Government—as one of the most impactful agricultural initiatives in the state’s history, noting that it has transformed production and market access in all 44 LGAs.

“Yields have doubled and in some cases tripled. Farmers are now better linked to off-takers, processors and financial systems, ensuring sustainable livelihoods,” Atser said.

Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud, and the Managing Director of KNARDA, Farouk Kurawa, commended SAA for exceeding expectations, noting that the project surpassed its beneficiary target by 20 per cent.