Determined to mitigate public health risks, Kano state Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, has awarded contracts in the sum of N1, 549, 000, 000 for the improvement of 20 public slaughterhouses (abattoirs) in Kano State, Nigeria

The slaughter houses are in Rano, Gwarzo, Dambatta, Kiru, Doguwa, Wudil, Bebeji, Karaye, Tudun Wada, Gabasawa, Gaya, Gezawa, Kunchi, Kabo, Kura, Dawakin Tofa, Bichi, Shanono, Takai and Sumaila local government areas.

Shortly after awarding the contracts, the State Project Coordinator, KSADP, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad said the project decided to invest in the upgrade of the slaughterhouses “because the current state and working conditions in slaughterhouses in Kano is at variance with international best practices”.

“They are in a state of deplorable slaughtering and processing facilities, inadequate clean water supplies, no refrigerators and lack of facilities for the collection, storage and disposal of waste”.

“These put together impact the quality of meat, affect the safety of workers in the slaughter houses, endanger the environment and generally put public health at a very serious risk”.

Malam Ibrahim expressed concern that current facilities and practices in the slaughterhouses have the potential to amplify occupational exposure to diseases or injury and while unwholesome meat finds its way to peoples’ homes, thereby exposing the population to diseases and even epidemics.

He further announced that the KSADP, financed by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Funds, has awarded contracts worth N326 million for upgrading of five Cattle markets at Dumbulum, Wudil, Dambatta, Gwarzo and Falgore.

The work involves provision of loading and off-loading ramps, watering facilities, office space for market information, security services, veterinary services, lighting for trade and security at night as well as toilet facilities.

Currently, all five cattle markets lack basic facilities for humane treatment of livestock on arrival (off loading), while in the market and during reloading.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Communication Specialist

2nd December, 2022

Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, has commenced civil works amounting to N2, 509, 343, 144. 10 at Dansoshiya Grazing Reserve in Kiru Local government area.

The State Project Coordinator, KSADP, Malam Ibrahim Garba announced this during an engagement with stakeholders at Dansoshiya and handing over the project sites to contractors.

The infrastructure to be constructed, aims to transform the area into a model grazing reserve, include establishment of 2, 000 hectares of communal grazing and 1, 000 hectares homestead grazing land, construction of earth dam, construction of 25 kilometers perimeter fence as well as construction of 20 kilometer access earth road and provision of fire breakers.

The rest are construction of mosque, a block of three classrooms, store, Mini market, Cattle pen, Loading ramp, Veterinary clinic and equipment, and five solar powered boreholes.

“We are undertaking these projects, which will transform the lives and livelihoods of pastoralists, in fulfillment of the desire of the state government to establish a model Ruga settlement”, the Project Coordinator emphasized.

The Ruga initiative seeks to settle roaming pastoral families in an organized environment with provision of necessary amenities that will enable them to enjoy civilization.

Malam Ibrahim Garba stated that apart from the aforementioned contracts, the project will construct and equip at least five modern milk collection centers across Dansoshiya as part of efforts to add value to their animal products.

He charged the pastoralists to cooperate with the contractors to ensure speedy completion of the projects, emphasizing that the contractors must abide by all contractual guidelines for quality service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the pastoralists, their leader, Ardo Abubakar Rabo and the secretary of the local community development association, FULDAN, Muhammadu Majo promised to give maximum cooperation to ensure that the projects are completed as scheduled.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Communication Specialist

8th November, 2022

Nigeria is a key beneficiary of the Islamic Development Bank’s financing in Africa with a total portfolio of approved operations amounting to US$ 1.8 billion.

The IsDB Group’s financial support for the country is diverse, covering broad sectors of the economy such as agriculture, sanitation, transport, energy, education, and health.

Agriculture infrastructure projects account for 29 % of IsDB’s financing for Nigeria, and Kano, the country’s most populous state is the sole beneficiary of the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP.

The Islamic Development Bank, the Lives and Livelihood Funds and the government of Kano state are financing the KSADP, a $95 million project, aimed at empowering peasant farmers and pastoralists to grow more food by developing the necessary basic infrastructure and integrated pastoralism, in addition to mitigating farmers-herdsmen conflict, due to transhumance.

Therefore, the recent visit by the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser to Kano, to commission some projects executed by KSADP, underscores the commitment of the bank, to enhance the cooperation between Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and the IsDB Group within the framework of the new strategy of the Islamic Development Bank. This will positively impact the living condition of the people.

During the visit, the president commissioned the ultra-modern veterinary reference laboratory at Gwale Vet Hospital, constructed and equipped by the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project. It is the first of its kind to be owned by any state government in Northern Nigeria, expected to serve not only Kano but other 19 states in the region. The laboratory will play a vital role in the surveillance and diagnosing infectious animal diseases, in view of their impact on public health.

Consistent with the bank’s determination to reduce poverty and strengthening food and nutrition security, Dr. Al Jaseer inspected the renovated Watari Dam Irrigation infrastructure and inaugurated the expansion of the Watari Irrigation Scheme by 1,006 hectares.

This intervention, also funded by the bank, will provide year-round farming opportunity for at least 4, 000 new farmers of rice, maize and vegetables, translating into a big leap in terms of food security in Kano state.

Also launched by the IsDB President was a goat reproduction empowerment program for rural women, a women’s nutrition and income-generation intervention and a climate-smart agriculture programme.

Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, was happy that rural women in Kano are engaged in productive agro-processing ventures to support their families and improve their children’s nutrition through the IsDB-Lives and Livelihood Fund projects.

The Islamic Development Bank President was also treated to a colorful durbar at the historic royal palace of Kano, by His Highness, the Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

At the Government House, in Kano, the IsDB President was hosted by the state deputy governor, Nasiru Gawuna. Dr. Jaseer appreciated the Deputy Governor for his astute leadership in following up on the project since its formative stage. He committed IsDB’s support to more projects for the State of Kano, especially in agriculture and education.

The IsDB president further reiterated that the project is the Bank’s contribution to poverty reduction and strengthening food and nutrition security in the state.

Key stakeholders in Kano, especially the state government, farmers and pastoralists, are hopeful that the visit by the bank’s President’s visit will bring greater prospects to the economic development of the state.

Ameen K. Yassar

Communication Specialist, KSADP

28^th October, 2022

The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Chairman of the IsDB Group, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, will embark on an official working visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 23 to 26 October 2022.

In Nigeria, the IsDB President will pay a courtesy visit to the Vice President, H.E Professor Oluyemi Osinbajo, and hold a strategic development meeting with H.E Dr. (Mrs.) Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning and IsDB Governor to enhance the cooperation between Africa’s largest economy and the IsDB Group within the framework of the new strategy of the IsDB.

The IsDB President, along with the other key partners including African Development Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development and the government, will jointly launch the Special Agro-Processing Zones initiative in Nigeria, a program in which IsDB has contributed for $160 million.

Dr. Al Jasser will also travel to Kano State to meet with H.E, the Kano State Governor, and pay homage visits to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano. During his working sessions in Kano, the IsDB Group Chairman will conduct a field visit of the IsDB-Lives and Livelihood Fund (LLF) funded Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project to meet with the beneficiaries and commission a veterinary laboratory at Gwale.

Ameen K. Yassar

Communication Specialist, KSADP

23^rd October, 2022

Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, has awarded contracts, in the sum of N2, 509, 343, 144. 10, for provision of capital projects at Dansoshiya Grazing Reserve, in Kiru Local government area of the state.

The infrastructure, which will transform the area into a model grazing reserve, include establishment of 2, 000 hectares of communal grazing and 1, 000 hectares homestead grazing land, construction of earth dam, construction of 25 kilometers perimeter fence as well as construction of 20 kilometer access earth road and provision of fire breakers.

The rest are construction of mosque, a block of three classrooms, store, Mini market, Cattle pen, Loading ramp, Veterinary clinic and equipment, and five solar powered boreholes.

It is estimated that on completion of the contracts, which were awarded to indigenous companies, not less than 20, 000 pastoralist families will settle conveniently in the grazing reserve.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Development Bank financed project awarded contract for design and supervision consultancy services, for the construction of 70 kilometer access feeder roads in the three senatorial zones of the state, at the cost of N98, 011, 749.

Speaking shortly after the contract awards, superintended by the Kano State Ministry of Justice, the State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad described the event as a major milestone towards achieving Kano’s pastoral development strategy.

“The development of the grazing reserve will not only improve lives and livelihoods of the pastoralists but also provide enabling condition for mitigating farmers-herdsmen conflict in the state”, he emphasized.

On his part, the Managing Director of Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, KNARDA, Dr. Junaidu Yakubu Muhammad, warned the contractors to abide by the contractual guidelines and specifications in order to deliver quality services, warning that any defaulting company will be sanctioned according to the law.

Ameen K. Yassar

Communication Specialist, KSADP

17th October, 2022

Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, announced on Friday, the award of contracts totaling N6,036,334,688. 66, for projects across several local government areas of the state.

The projects include development of a total of 1,006 hectares irrigation structures (at sectors 9-14) at Watari irrigation scheme, Bagwai local government area and the construction of 40 Milk Collection Centers at different locations, spreading across 15 local government areas of the state.

The Watari infrastructure projects will cost the sum of N4,539,501, 897.08 while the 40 Milk Collection Centers will be constructed at the total cost of N1,496,832,791.58.

Funding for the interventions will be provided by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, LLF, as part of a broad vision to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food and nutrition security as well as improving income generation for small-holder farmers and herdsmen.

The projects, awarded to eight, separate indigenous contractors, will begin in September, 2022 and completed by September-December, 2023.

The investment is predicted to impact thousands of farmers and pastoralists, thus, revitalizing the economy of Kano.

Speaking shortly after signing the contracts, coordinated by the Kano State Ministry of Justice, the State Project Coordinator, KSADP, Ibrahim Garba Muhammad said the occasion was a significant step towards revamping agriculture in the state.

“These interventions, which will soon be followed by other activities, will surely bring about change in the agricultural fortunes of Kano and will lift a significant number of our people out of poverty”.

He, therefore, urged the contractors to see the projects as service to humanity, stressing they are expected to abide by all the contractual guidelines in order to deliver value for money.

Also commenting, the Managing Director, Kano State Rural Development Authority, KNARDA, the executing agency of KSADP, Dr. Junaidu Yakubu Muhammad, warned the contractors that a strong monitoring mechanism has been put in place to supervise their work, adding that any one of them found wanting would be sanctioned according to the stipulated regulations.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Communication Specialist

16th September, 2022

Islamic Development Bank Vice President, Dr. Mansur Mukhtar, during the weekend, paid a surprise visit to the office of Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, in Kano city, North-west Nigeria.

The unscheduled visit, which was his first to the project office, was to familiarize with its activities, which focuses on improving crop production and enhancing livestock productivity in Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state.

Funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Funds, LLF, the KSADP’s overall objective is to contribute to reducing poverty and strengthening food and nutrition security in the state by developing agro-pastoral production systems, targeting mainly smallholder farmers and pastoralists as well as key actors involved in the value chain of agro-pastoralism namely, agricultural produce processors, marketers, input suppliers, and financial institutions.

Speaking during the visit, the Vice President said: “The bank has been monitoring your performance and your example has been showcased a number of times during our meetings with the LLF”.

“I am surprised that during the weekend, the Project Management Unit is working almost full house. I am impressed that you are working very hard to meet the bank’s expectations”.

“I am here briefly, to see how you work, and I’m pleased that you are taking your work seriously. From the reports we have received so far, your project is moving on well”.

Dr. Mukhtar, while charging the Project Management Unit to maintain the work culture, assured of the bank’s determination to address their challenges, if any, to ensure the project’s continued success.

The State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, Ibrahim Garba Muhammad who was visibly astonished, said such high level visits would provide impetus to drive the project.

“The project is making steady progress towards impacting the lives of farmers and pastoralists in Kano, in line with the IsDB/LLF theory of change”, he maintained.

The Coordinator was, however, concerned that inflation is affecting the projects’ contract awards, adding that this and the issue of co-financing needed to be addressed by the bank, so as not to impede the pace of the overall project delivery.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Communication Specialist

21st August, 2022

Continuous stakeholder engagement in project decisions and execution are the cornerstone of achieving the goals of the Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project, the State Project Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad has stated.

He said the project is always conscious of the needs and interest of stakeholders as well as the potential impact of its programmes and projects, as a change focused initiative.

Malam Ibrahim Garba, who stated this during a meeting with officials of a Fulani socio-cultural group, Billital Maroobe Pastoralists Association of Nigeria, BILMPAN, at the project office in Kano, noted that improper engagement of the stakeholders can adversely affect overall project success.

He mentioned that all the planned interventions of the project targeted at pastoralists, including transformation of Dansoshiya Grazing Reserve, small and large scale fodder development initiative, crop residue utilization drive, the 200 milk collection centers, the stock route development and the artificial insemination programme were conceived and will be executed with the contribution of major stakeholders, to ensure optimum results.

“One of our biggest tasks is the intervention at Dansoshiya. We have gotten full support of the stakeholders and the consultant we engaged has finished the design of our intended projects in the grazing reserve. With your support and that of all stakeholders, we are going to construct a mosque, a school, a vet clinic, milk collection center, a dam and other infrastructure. Life will change significantly for pastoralists when we complete the civil works”.

In his remarks, the President, Billital Maroobe Pastoralists Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Ali Muhammad Rimin Dako explained that the association is an umbrella for pastoral civil society organisations from at least seven West African countries, with headquarters in Burkina Faso, aimed at defending the interests of its members at the economic, political, social and cultural levels.

He said the visit was to familiarize with the activities of the KSADP, urging the project management unit to pay serious issues of grazing reserve development and stock routes in view of their importance towards addressing farmers-herdsmen conflict.

Meanwhile, the KSADP Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Garba has received a delegation from ABIM All Season Farmers Cooperative Society, under the leadership of Alhaji Abba Aminu Imam. The two parties deliberated on proposed private sector involvement in some of the project’s activities.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Communication Specialist

11^th June, 2022

Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project team on Wednesday, met with key stakeholders, concerning the project’s proposed commercial large scale fodder production. The interaction coincided with events to mark the World Milk Day.

World Milk Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on June 1 that recognizes the contributions of milk and dairy sector to the world.

Empirical studies have shown that availability and quality of fodder has a significant impact on livestock production cost efficiency, especially of milk.

Speaking during the occasion, the State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad explained that the project’s intended intervention in fodder development was borne out of the desire to address shortage of livestock feed in Kano, in a sustainable way, adding that private sector involvement is key towards achieving the objective.

“The initiative also aims to appreciably lessen farmers-herdsmen conflict and other security challenges, arising from movement of pastoralists with their livestock over long distances in search of feed.”

Thus, to promote fodder development in the state, “our project will support investment in commercial large scale fodder production in partnership with the private sector. 20 private sector investors interested in fodder production on plots of no less than 50 ha each will be assisted in the development of pastures, provision of harvesting and baling equipment and marketing facilities”, the Project Coordinator emphasized.

Kano State government will make land available from its grazing reserves for the fodder development purpose and it is expected that at least 1,000 hectares of pastures which yield up to 25 tonnes per hectare will be developed.

“This is apart from the support to be given to 5,000 youths who will grow one hectare of fodder each, from which they will cut and sell for profit. We also have a separate smallholder fodder production arrangement for each of the families at Dansohiya Grazing reserve”, Malam Ibrahim disclosed.

He added that “the project has procured crop residue processing machines and related assorted materials worth millions of Naira, to be distributed to about 1,000 youth soon, to enable them produce and sell ‘farm wastes’ that could be used as livestock feeds after crops have been harvested”.

The Managing Director, Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, KNARDA, Dr. Sha’arani Habibu Musa, in his remarks, described feed as one of the key constraints of livestock development in Nigeria, emphasizing that strong partnership between KSADP and the private sector will go a long way in providing fodder for livestock in Kano.

Stakeholders who made submissions during the interactive session made suggestions concerning access to production resources, training of prospective fodder producers, linkages with markets and sustainability of the intervention.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Communication Specialist,

Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project.

1st June, 2022

Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP with funding from the Islamic Development Bank and Lives and Livelihood Funds, LLF, has conducted training for 220 Community Animal Health Workers, engaged by the project to render veterinary services across the state.

During the commencement of the training, conducted in collaboration with Smartex Global Resources Ltd., KSADP’s Livestock Specialist, Dr. Garba Saleh, explained that the training is aimed at equipping the new Community Animal Health Workers with veterinary techniques in line international best practices.

“The expected outcomes from the training include improvement of animal health and maximizing animal products, growth of income generation from livestock, better access to markets and eventually, securing the livelihoods of pastoralists and rural dwellers”.

Addressing the trainees, the State Project Coordinator, KSADP, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, said they were engaged to make veterinary services available to all communities, since efficient extension delivery requires private sector involvement.

He stated that they were also expected to link breeders to animal insemination services, connect pastoralists to vet clinics even as they would be mentored and guided by professionals, employed by the State Ministry of Agriculture.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Balarabe Hassan Karaye emphasized that the trainees would be supervised by veterinarians and would assist in periodic livestock vaccination campaigns.

For quality assurance of their services, he announced that KSADP will register them with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria to enable them get professional practice license.

The training participants were given a Starter kit each, containing protective clothing, tool boxes, cold boxes, assorted drugs and equipment as well as branded hand bags.

They are expected to offer services for a fee in their communities, thus, enabling them to get some income and restock.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Communication Specialist

28th April, 2022