Improving productivity and efficiency along the agricultural value chain in Kano State

24 June 2022

IITA and partners organized a seed fair from 10 to 18 May at Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) Headquarters and KNARDA Zonal offices in Kano metropolis, Northern Nigeria. The fair provided farmers with quality seeds of market-preferred, improved major crop varieties and other agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, animal feed, and small-scale machinery at affordable prices from genuine sources for efficient use and agricultural extension services.

The IITA-Kano Station exhibition showcased improved crop varieties that the institute promotes in the region. Among the most notable were the improved seed varieties of cowpea, soybean, and maize. Information materials on improved crop management and IITA’s work to support farmers with new technologies to help farmers realize high yields were also available.

The six-day event attracted over 2,881 attendees, including researchers, seed companies, input suppliers, farmers, processors, buyers of improved seed, community leaders, and service providers. The fair was officially opened at each center by the District Head of the Local Government Areas.

Several government officials attended the opening ceremony, including the Special Adviser to the Deputy Governor on Agriculture, Alhaji Hafizu Mohammed, who represented the Deputy Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna. Other guests included Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of Agriculture, Local Government, and Commerce; the Emir of Kano HRH Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, represented by Sarkin Dawaki Mai-Tuta; KNARDA Managing Director Alhaji Bello Abubakar, represented by Director Administration and General Services, Hajiya Aisha Abdullahi Garko; and the Kano State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO) Managing Director, Bala Mohammed Inuwa.

Other stakeholders at the fair were the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Agriculture Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Seed Companies, Agrochemical Companies, and dealers. Some large- and small-scale farmers and Kano State commodity farmers’ associations for cowpea, soybean, maize, groundnut, wheat, and sorghum also attended the event.

This indicated a high level of interest and the belief that the future of agriculture is bright. The event created significant economic gains as agro-dealers sold large quantities of market-preferred, improved varieties of major crops and other agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, animal feed, and small-scale machinery to farmers during the fair.

The Seed and Inputs Fair was organized in collaboration with the Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR/ABU), Center for Dryland Agriculture (CDA-BUK), KNARDA, Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), KASCO, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Seed Companies Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN), and the Association of Registered Seed Companies of Nigeria (RSCON).

Contributed by Sarah Sallau