Kano State Agro-pastoral Project, KSADP, has spent about N800 million to conduct various training programmes for the project’s stakeholders, including direct beneficiaries and workers, the project coordinator, Ibrahim Garba Muhammad has disclosed.

According to him, “The training aims to ensure that the beneficiaries can effectively contribute to executing the project’s development objective and ensuring sustainability after the project’s closure”.

Speaking during the opening of a training workshop at Kadawa Artificial Insemination center, supported by the project, on Animal Insemination for animal husbandry technicians and other livestock staff of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, Ibrahim Garba said the various capacity building programmes enhanced the skills, knowledge and resources of the beneficiaries.

Notably, on the artificial insemination training, he said,”it is part of the broader objective of the project to re-introduce Artificial Insemination, towards ensuring sustainable livestock development in the state”.

Kano remains one of the leading hubs of Nigeria’s livestock sector, with over 1.21 million agricultural households engaged in cattle, 1.46 million in goats, and 1.15 million in sheep. According to the recent sub-national GDP for Kano State, livestock contributed over ₦1.73 trillion in 2023.

The project coordinator said besides renovating the Kadawa Artificial Insemination center, procuring five exotic bulls and and providing modern equipment, the KSADP, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, is supporting the training of the workers for efficient service delivery and sustainability of the center, which was hitherto abandoned.

“Just recently, we saw the need to further upgrade the center, so we have earmarked N125 million for this, which will include provision of certain inputs, fence reconstruction, etc. We will also establish a two hectare fodder farm in the vicinity of the center for feed availability“, Ibrahim added.

He urged the trainees to justify the investment by paying keen attention to the workshop modules, stressing that “the expectation of the project, for breed improvement and incremental milk production, will not be achieved if you do not work efficiently”.

One of the trainees, Sulaiman Audu, expressed gratitude to the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund for facilitating the training, pointing out that it will impact positively on their work and career.

The capacity building workshop, conducted in collaboration with the Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano, involves comprehensive training in theoretical and practical aspects of artificial insemination, focusing on semen collection, freezing, and storage, as well as animal health, breed selection and record-keeping.

Ameen K. Yassar
Project Communication Specialist
October 4, 2025

The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to accelerate sustainable development across critical sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and rural development.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf made this pledge on Tuesday while receiving the Bank’s Vice President (Operations), Dr. Rami Ahmad, who paid a courtesy visit to Government House, Kano. The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo—described the partnership with IsDB as central to the administration’s development blueprint.

“Our administration is determined to work hand in hand with the Islamic Development Bank to accelerate growth, create opportunities, and improve the living standards of our people. We are confident that this partnership will open doors for critical investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure,” Governor Yusuf said.

He commended the Bank’s global interventions, stressing that its initiatives continue to deliver positive impact in Nigeria. “The activities of the Islamic Development Bank worldwide are improving lives, and here in Nigeria, Kano has been one of the major beneficiaries,” he added.

The Deputy Governor, while highlighting the state’s development priorities, emphasized that the Yusuf administration will continue to champion programs that directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens.

On behalf of Governor Yusuf, Comrade Abdussalam Gwarzo presented a letter of appreciation to Dr. Rami Ahmad, assuring the Bank of Kano’s unwavering support and readiness to provide an enabling environment for its projects.

“We extend our profound appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank for its steadfast support. This government will not relent in backing your initiatives to ensure their successful implementation across Kano State,” he said.

He further acknowledged the impact of the Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project (KSADP), noting that its interventions in milk collection centers, abattoirs, roads, and other projects are directly advancing the state’s development agenda.

In his remarks, Dr. Rami Ahmad commended Kano State for its commitment to people-centred governance and assured that the Bank would continue to expand its collaboration with the state. “Kano remains a strategic partner for the Islamic Development Bank in Nigeria. We are impressed by the government’s vision and are committed to supporting projects that will have a lasting impact on the people,” Dr. Ahmad said.

The visit marks another milestone in deepening Kano’s partnership with international development institutions as the state positions itself as a hub for sustainable growth in Northern Nigeria.

Ameen Kabeer Yassar

Project Communication Specialist,

Nigeria IsDB/ LLF Project – KSADP

2^nd September, 2025

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) today (Tuesday) launched a mechanization center at Kadawa, Garun Mallam local government area of Kano state, one of the three such agricultural mechanization hubs aimed at reducing drudgery and boosting productivity.

The project is executed by the Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project, KSADP, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and Livelihoods Fund, LLF and its crop value chain is implemented by Sasakawa Africa Association.

It aligns with the Islamic Development Bank’s agricultural policy, which focuses on promoting sustainable, resilient, and equitable agriculture and rural development in its member countries by addressing poverty and enhancing food security through modernizing food systems.

The mechanization hub is equipped with modern farm equipment, including tractors, power tillers, planters, harvesters and threshers, supported by trained operators and technicians. This sustainable service provider model is designed not only to improve efficiency but also to cut production costs and reduce post-harvest losses, which remain among the biggest constraints facing agriculture in Nigeria.

Speaking during the commissioning event, Dr. Rami Ahmad, the Vice President (Operations), described the event as a landmark achievement expressing hope that the positive ripples of the project would impact farming communities in Kano and beyond.

Dr. Ahmad was emphatic that, “It is a collective success story that will serve the people of Kano State and surrounding regions for years to come”.

“From crop production to, irrigation, value addition, processing and livestock productivity enhancement to climate-resilient initiatives, the benefits of this project will crystallize over time”, he maintained.

The Vice President was confident that the state and private sector in the state would join hands to to sustain and expand the initiative beyond the donor initiative.

While expressing appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank for its support, a farmer from Chiromawa community, Sagir Abubakar, expressed with delight that because of the mechanization support they received, members of his farmers’ cooperative  had collectively generated over N21 million, out of which N20 million was saved in their account and N1. 3 million was disbursed to the members to buy seeds and other inputs.

Ameen Kabeer Yassar

Project Communication Specialist,

Nigeria IsDB/ LLF Project – KSADP

2^nd September, 2025

Kano State House of Assembly has given a pass mark to the Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project, KSADP, expressing optimism that the large-scale undertakings executed by the project across the state will stand the test of time.

Shortly after inspecting some of the infrastructure projects including Gwale Veterinary Reference Laboratory and some some roads constructed by the project, the Chairman, Kano State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Ahmad Ibrahim Karaye explained that the projects were of high quality and meet the required standards.

“I am not only surprised but impressed. For a very long time ,I have not seen good quality projects like the ones I saw during this inspection. Such good work is vital for sustainable development”, he stated.

I have been the Vet clinic and the standard facilities put in place. The roads too are of good quality. Even cynics will appreciate the work you have done”,  Karaye stressed.

The legislator, therefore, advised Ministries and agencies of the state government to emulate the shining example of the KSADP to speed up development of the state.

He used the opportunity to express profound appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, LLF, for investing in the development of the state, hoping the spirit will remain alive.

During the visit, the State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project, KSADP, Ibrahim Garba Muhammad said the visit will enable the team to understand the achievements and problems of the agency, saying he is hopeful that the state legislature will help in addressing the challenges faced by the project.

Ameen Kabeer Yassar

Project Communication Specialist,

KSADP

24/07/2025

Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project, KSADP has constructed 61 Artificially Aerated Onion Storage Technology facilities in Kano State, with funds from the Islamic Development Bank, and the Lives and Livelihood Funds, LLF, through Sasakawa Africa Association.

Aerated Onion Storage Technology (AOST), is a method to extend the shelf life of onions and reduce storage losses. This technology involves using solar-powered fans to circulate air around the onions, keeping the onion neck tissue and outer scales dry. This helps prevent moisture buildup and spoilage, leading to increased shelf life and significantly reducing losses.

During a visit by a mission comprising officials from the Abuja regional hub of the Islamic Development Bank and the Federal Ministry of Finance, led by Daniyar Abylkhan, farmers at Gundutse, Kura local government area told the team, that hitherto, using traditional storage methods, they record loss of up to 50 percent was due to the perishable nature of onions.

One of the farmers, Bala Ibrahim told the delegation that by extending the shelf life of the onions and reducing waste by about 95 percent, the income of the farmer’s have increased

“With this technology, farmers can store onions for up to six months and have better access to markets in the Southern and Eastern parts of this country”, he stressed.

Daniyar Abylkhan and his team who spent good time interacting with the farmers noted that the new technology was environmentally friendly as it is solar-powered.

Conducting the delegation round, the Project Coordinator, KSADP/SAA, Malam Abdurrashid Hamisu Kofar Mata explained that the technology which was adopted from India has immensely benefited onion farmers in Kano.

Earlier on, the State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project, Ibrahim Garba Muhammad stated that the intervention aims to address post-harvest losses normally encountered by the farmers, and to address gaps in knowledge on how to properly store produce, using superior technology in line with the project objectives.

Ameen Kabeer Yassar

Project Communication Specialist,

KSADP

20/05/2025

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state has formally commissioned the 9 kilometer Zarewa – Fulatan – Danguzuri road in Rogo local government area, constructed at the cost of N1.03 billion.

The road is part of 70 kilometres of road networks constructed by the government across the three Senatorial zones of the state, through the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP which is funded by the Islamic Development, the Lives and Livelihood Funds, LLF, and the state government.

Governor Abba Yusuf said the project will facilitate economic activities, including the movement of people, commodities, and livestock to farmlands and vice versa, and markets as well as towns across the state.

He added: “Rural development is a cardinal objective of our administration and provision of infrastructure such as roads is an important driver of development in our rural areas”.

“Essentially, these roads are important for sustaining agricultural development, another key area of focus of our administration. A good network of rural roads can provide a boost to the agricultural activities by making water, seeds and other raw materials needed for farming reach in time to the farmer”.

The governor thanked the development partners involved in the project saying: “I find it imperative to express our appreciation to the Islamic Development and the Lives and Livelihood Funds for giving us the desired moral and financial support to undertake far-reaching development projects, capable of not only changing the landscape of Kano but also impacting profoundly on the wellbeing of our people”.

The governor assured the Islamic Development Bank and all other development partners that his administration will continue to collaborate with them towards achieving the aspiration of making Kano a much better place than what it was in 2023.

Governor Abba urged people of Zarewa and other neighbouring communities to make very good use of this road by observing traffic rules and by ensuring that this project is not damaged by unscrupulous people.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, restated the commitment of the state government to revamp the agricultural sector, by promoting rural development and expanding access to agricultural resources.

The State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, stated that the project had invested heavily in rural roads development as part of broad initiatives to improve agricultural infrastructure, for better productivity.

Expressing appreciation to the state government, the Islamic Development and the Lives and Livelihood Funds, LL, the Distrcit Head of Rogo, Alhaji Garba Muhammad, Dan Isan Karaye, said his community will remain eternally grateful because their major developmental problem has been solved.

Ameen K. Yassar

Communication Specialist,

KSADP

30^th January, 2025

About 572, 309 smallholder crop farmers in Kano have been impacted under the Kano state Agro-pastoral Development Project, KSADP, crop value chain intervention, in the past four and half years.

The scope of the intervention include capacity building, post harvest support and market promotion, technology plots development and provision of assorted labour equipment.

The project, which is funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, is aimed at reducing poverty and strengthening food and nutrition security though the development of agro-pastoral production systems.

The State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project, KSADP, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad made this known while receiving a five-man mission, led by Mr. Javed Khan, from the Islamic Development Bank, at the Project Management Unit office in Kano.

“According to the Project Appraisal Document of the KSADP, the project through Sasakawa Africa Association, will impact 450, 000 primary beneficiary farmers while 100, 000 farmers will benefit through KNARDA. Already, Sasakawa has exceeded its target by supporting 477, 284 farmers”, the Coordinator explained.

He expressed delight that the project has benefitted farmers beyond Kano state, as peasant farmers from neighbouring states come to the state to buy quality seeds.

Regarding the construction of 70 kilometre rural roads by the project, Malam Ibrahim highlighted that the original scope of the project was changed from earth access roads to tarred roads, with the approval of the Islamic Development Bank, for durability, as earth roads do not stand the test of time.

Under the livestock value chain, he mentioned that the project had constructed 40 Milk Collection Centres while 60 are at various stages of completion. This is in addition to the construction of a Veterinary Reference Laboratory, 20 slaughter houses, five cattle markets, as well as the conduct of annual livestock vaccination campaigns, among other things.

“But the major challenges we encountered during the execution of this project include delayed project implementation due to Covid 19, Naira redesign policy as well as inflation that hit the nation’s economy”,  he emphasized.

Head of the mission, Mr. Javed Khan said the objective is to appraise ongoing projects and to help the Project Management Unit, towards successful completion of the project in June, this year.

The mission later met the Managing Director of KNARDA, Dr. Farouk Kurawa as well as representatives of the KSADP implementing agencies and technical partners.

Ameen Kabeer Yassar

Communication Specialist, KSADP

15/01/2025

Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has laid the foundation for construction of Dambatta – Diggol road in Dambatta local government area and Wasai – Baita road in Minjibir local government area, at the combined cost of N2, 161, 406, 383. 50 and a total length of 15.077 kilometres.

Likewise, the governor commissioned the Dambatta Cattle market, one of the five cattle markets reconstructed and upgraded at the total cost of N340 million.

The roads and market projects are among many infrastructural interventions in Kano, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihood Fund, through the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, to develop agro pastoral systems, ensure food security, reduce poverty and improve livelihoods of the poor.

Inaugurating the road projects, Governor Abba described the move as a major milestone which underscored the commitment of his administration to put in place sustainable infrastructural and agricultural systems that will entail multiple socio-economic benefits for the people of Kano.

“For several years, the people living in communities where these projects cut cross have suffered untold hardship because of lack of passable roads. They suffer huge economic loss because they find it difficult to take their farm produce to markets, while they cannot access basic health care and education services, among other things, due to the condition of their roads”, he lamented.

On the upgraded cattle markets, the governor stated that “the initiative aims to modernize our livestock markets, improve the condition of the animals we slaughter, especially reduction in mortality during transportation from one place to another and, generally improve the environment”.

He added that the markets have been provided with loading ramps, watering facilities, office space for market information, security posts, veterinary services infrastructure, public conveniences as well as solar lighting for security and trade at night.

“These infrastructure will not only make livestock trade to thrive but will create more employment for people in the localities”, the governor maintained, adding that this “aligns with our conviction that livestock and livestock markets are fundamental foundations of the rural economy, food and nutrition security as well as social interaction”.

Governor Abba expressed profound appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund for supporting Kano state government to undertake life-changing interventions for farmers and pastoralists in the state, urging the projects’ beneficiaries to make optimum use the infrastructure and empowerment packages provided by the government through the KSADP.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Communication Specialist,

KSADP

August 23, 2024

Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, through the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. ICRISAT, plans to reach out 3, 000 farmers and several seed companies in Kano, this year.

The Country Representative, ICRISAT, Dr. Ignatius Angarawai made the assertion today (Tuesday) during the opening of a seed and input Fair, themed “Connecting farmers to Climate-Smart and Resilient Seeds and Agro-Inputs for improving productivity and Small-Holder farmers”, scheduled to for 14th -18th May.

“This is aimed at exposing and sensitizing to access quality improved seeds of market preferred varieties of crops, and change from their traditional production practices and embrace research-based scientifically proven production techniques, capable of improving and increasing yields particularly in this era of climate change”, he asserted.

During the occasion held at KNARDA headquarters in Kano metropolis, Dr. Angarawai said this opportunity will, among other things, create opportunities for linkages between researchers, policy makers, seed vendors, agro-chemical dealers, processors, commodity brokers, marketers, financial institutions, crops and livestock producers and other key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

While declaring the fair open, the governor of Kano state, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, restated his administration’s resolve to focus more on agriculture, to overcome the prevailing challenges of global warming and enhance food security.

“By making agriculture a big wealth-creating sector, we will unleash new economic opportunities that will lift millions of people out of poverty. This all begins with access to the right seed and quality inputs”, he empathized.

Represented by the State Project Coordinator, KSADP, Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, the governor therefore, advised farmers in the state to take advantage of the seed fair, which has in attendance several seeds companies and farmers from across the state, to invest wisely in buying the desired seeds as the 2024 rainy season is around the corner.

Representatives from the Federal Minister of Agriculture, the Center for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano, seeds companies and Nigeria Agro Inputs Dealers Association, who attended the event, underscored the need to unveil the potential and opportunities available in the seed systems in the state for maximum benefit.

ICRISAT is partnering Sasakawa Africa Association and KNARDA, to technically backstop the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, funded by the Islamic Development Bank, the Lives and Livelihoods Fund and the government of Kano State.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Communication Specialist,

KSADP

14th May, 2024

The Emir Of Kano, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero has urged the Islamic Development Bank and Lives and Livelihoods Fund, LLF, to ensure sustainable funding of Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project, KSADP, to improve food security in the state. He made the call while receiving a team of the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, LLF, donors at his palace.

The Emir underscored the impact of the KSADP intervention in food production and agricultural productivity in Kano, appealing for the extension of the project to cover more beneficiaries across the state.

“We hope this visit will enable you to look further into areas where our people will benefit from your development support, looking at how things have gone awry not only in Kano but Nigeria at large”, Emir Aminu stressed.

Leader of the delegation, Adil Al-Sharif, explained that the visit was not only to inspect projects undertaken by the IsDB/LLF funded project in Kano but also to see have the livelihoods of the project beneficiaries have been transformed.

Ameen K. Yassar

Project Comms Sp,

KSADP

13th May, 2024