Uba Sani Launches Support Program for 5,000 Cooperatives

Governor Uba Sani has revealed that his administration's goal is to position Kaduna State as the agricultural and livestock epicenter of Northern Nigeria.

During an event marking the commencement of livestock support distribution to 5,000 cooperatives on Thursday, he emphasized that the state would become a hub for innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth in the agricultural sector.

At the event, a total of 500 solar-powered freezers equipped with panels, inverters, and batteries were distributed along with 300 feed millers, 3,000 bags of poultry feed, and 200,000 day-old chicks to organized farmer cooperatives throughout 23 Local Government Areas.

Representing the Governor, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe stated that the government is committed to fostering a Kaduna State that sustains itself, contributes to national needs, and engages in international trade, with the cooperation of its citizens.

Governor Uba Sani envisions a Kaduna State that becomes a leading force in Nigeria's agricultural renaissance.

He stated that the state has made intentional investments to build value chains, enhance access to modern agricultural technologies, and empower farmers to be more competitive and successful.

In this initiative, 5,000 farmers, organized into cooperatives of ten members each, will directly benefit from these assets, improving productivity, minimizing losses, enhancing quality, and expanding income opportunities—particularly benefiting women and youth integral to Kaduna’s livestock sector.

Earlier, Kaduna State had notable achievements in livestock development, with the Governor highlighting efforts such as rehabilitating abattoirs and slaughter facilities, establishing veterinary clinics and boreholes in pastoral areas, and deploying mobile veterinary teams for prompt animal healthcare.

Through vaccination campaigns, over 850,000 cattle, 250,000 sheep and goats, 250,000 poultry, and 5,000 dogs were protected against transboundary diseases, supporting both livelihoods and public health.

The Governor further mentioned the distribution of 100 residue crushers and 50 fodder choppers to cooperatives and sedentary pastoralist groups, aimed at converting crop residues to animal feed, thereby enhancing feed availability.

Additionally, demonstration fields for pasture production have been set up, and the state has distributed mineral licks, molasses, and feed supplements to boost livestock nutrition and weight gain.

In pastoral communities, solar-powered boreholes with livestock drinking troughs have been provided, ensuring reliable water access throughout the year and minimizing seasonal migration pressures.

The Governor pointed out that farmers have been equipped with milking cans and tricycles to facilitate the efficient transportation of milk to collection centers, thereby reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing milk quality, and improving income for dairy farmers through stable market access.

These livestock initiatives are designed to complement the broader agricultural reforms undertaken by the Governor’s administration.

He highlighted the Tallafin Noma (A Koma Gona) program, which empowered 69,000 crop farmers with seeds, fertilizers, and mechanization tools; along with Dry and Wet Season Agricultural Empowerment Programs that provided solar-powered irrigation pumps and inputs for year-round farming, targeting nearly one million smallholder farmers.

Furthermore, efforts to improve farm-to-market connectivity are underway with the construction of new rural roads across all regions, which will effectively reduce post-harvest losses and transportation costs for both crop and livestock producers.

The Governor also noted that Kaduna State is focused not only on increasing livestock productivity but also on establishing the groundwork for large-scale processing and export through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) and the Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC).

These initiatives are expected to ensure that Kaduna's livestock and dairy products comply with international standards and gain access to premium markets within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Conclusively, Governor Uba Sani described farmers as the backbone of the rural economy and urged them to wisely use and maintain these provided assets to maximize their benefits and enhance their prosperity.