Kano Farmers Reap Big Gains as Post-Harvezt Losses Drop by Half-Sasakawa

By Ibrahim Muhammad Kano

Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), the implementing partner of the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has said that post-harvest losses across targeted communities in Kano State have dropped by 51%.

Sasakawa Africa Association at the 2025 KSADP Media Field Day in Kano explained that the decline follows the introduction of enhanced agricultural technologies under the project.

The Sasakawa Africa Association (SSA) Project Coordinator, Abdulrasheed Hamisu, said the multi billion Dollars project has also driven remarkable growth in crop yields across participating communities.

Hamisu revealed that rice output has surged by 226 per cent from baseline figures. Maize increased by 161 per cent, soybeans by 166 per cent, millet by 152 per cent, tomatoes by 50 per cent, cabbage by 75 per cent and onions by 11.5 per cent.

He added that independent evaluators verified the results, attributing the improvements to strengthened seed systems, extensive farmer capacity-building, digital extension services and the adoption of improved agronomic techniques.

So far, the KSADP has reached 477,284 farmers, trained 854 extension workers and established 5,748 production clusters across Kano State. The programme has also advanced seed sector reforms through partnerships with research institutions such as IITA, ICRISAT and eight indigenous seed companies.

“To reduce losses and boost value addition, we have set up 81 agro-processing centres, nine medium-scale rice mills, three tomato processing facilities, onion storage units, vegetable drying centres and mechanisation hubs in all three senatorial districts,” Hamisu stated.

He further noted that thousands of farmers have received post-harvest and mechanisation tools including power tillers, threshers, planters, tractors, solar pumps, silos, seedling trays and mobile mills while 11,228 farmer groups have been trained on market readiness.

SAA Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser, described the initiative funded by the Islamic Development Bank, the Lives and Livelihoods Fund and the Kano State Government as one of the most impactful agricultural programmes in the state, saying it has significantly enhanced production and market linkages across all 44 LGAs.

“Yields have doubled, and in some cases tripled. Farmers now enjoy better connections to off-takers, processors and financial services, creating more sustainable livelihoods,” Atser said.

Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, and the Managing Director of KNARDA, Farouk Kurawa, praised SAA for surpassing expectations and noted that the project exceeded its target number of beneficiaries by 20 per cent.