Writing by ABDULLAHI JALALUDEEN; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring decent livelihoods for small-scale farmers, with the ultimate goal of achieving food security.
This pledge was made during the launch of the DELIVER Nigeria Project, a three-year initiative aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of small holder vegetable farmers in Kaduna and Kano states.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Danjuma Mahmud, represented by Director Agro Services, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji, emphasized the state government’s determination to partner with donor agencies to address post-harvest losses and other agricultural challenges.
He commended the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) for its commitment to the project.
In their separate remarks, Commissioners of Budget and Planning,Women Affairs represented by Director Support Coordination, Sadiq M Sadiq and Director Research and Statistics, Yakubu Mohammad pledged to accord all the needed support with the aim of achieving the stated goals.
The Country Director of GAIN, Dr Micheal Ojo said DELIVER Nigeria Project seeks to reduce post-harvest losses of up to 40% in the vegetable sector, improve farmers’ capacity to cope with climate risks, Enhance financial management skills and link farmers to profitable markets.
Ojo noted that the project is funded by the Dutch government through the Accelerating Resilient Food Systems in Africa (ARFSA) and implemented by GAIN in collaboration with East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT) and Wageningen University and Research (WUR).
“GAIN, a Swiss-based foundation, aims to transform food systems to make healthier diets accessible to all, especially those vulnerable to shocks. ”
“By 2027, GAIN hopes to improve access to nutritionally enhanced staple foods for 1.5 billion people and support nature-positive food system transformation across countries.”
The Country Director explained that with the Flagg Off of the Deliver Nigeria Program A Brighter Future for Nigerian Farmers is on the way.
The Flagg off ceremony was graced by stakeholders from the Agricultural Value Chain in the State.
