Kano Rejects GMO Seeds, Partners CIRAD to Introduce Climate-Smart Rice Varieties

By Ladan Nasidi

The Kano State government has ruled out the use of genetically modified (GMO) seeds in its rice production programme, opting instead for climate-smart varieties aimed at boosting yields and improving farmers’ productivity.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Danjuma Mamud, disclosed that the government is exploring collaboration with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) to introduce resilient rice seeds and modern farming techniques across the state.

Mamud said discussions with the research institute focused on improving rice productivity per hectare through climate-smart agricultural practices, stressing that GMO seeds were excluded from the plan.

“We had engagements with CIRAD on how to improve rice productivity per hectare using climate-smart seeds,” he said.

“However, GMO seeds were ruled out for Kano farmers during the conference discussions.”

According to him, the initiative is designed to significantly increase rice output while reducing pressure on farmland and other agricultural resources.

The commissioner noted that many farmers in the state currently harvest between 50 and 60 bags of rice per hectare, but with improved seed varieties and better farming methods, production could increase up to three times.

To support the rollout, the state government plans to establish demonstration farms where the new rice varieties will be tested and showcased to farmers before large-scale adoption.

“The demonstration farms will allow farmers to see the performance of the seeds themselves before adopting them,” Mamud said. “This will help build confidence and encourage wider acceptance.”

He also revealed that the state has already completed crop-mapping data that will guide the implementation of the programme across various farming zones in Kano.

“We have itemised our needs and shared them with the research institute,” Mamud added. “Our next step is to translate the crop-mapping data into practical programmes that will directly benefit farmers.”