Over 12,000 Kano Farmers Benefit from SAPZ Program

The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) program has provided climate-smart agricultural inputs to over 12,000 farmers across eight local government areas in Kano State. This initiative is part of a broader effort to transform Nigeria's agricultural sector by attracting private investment and enhancing food security.

The program is implemented in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank and the African Development Bank, alongside state governments and private sector investors. Hajiya Rabi Mustafa Sadiq, the program coordinator, emphasized the focus on empowering smallholder farmers, agro-processors, and traders, particularly women and youth.

The initiative includes a match grant scheme where women contribute 20% of input costs, men 30%, and youth 25%. The program aims to reach 75,000 direct beneficiaries, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons, thereby improving livelihoods across agricultural value chains.