The Kano State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme has distributed agricultural inputs to 2,710 smallholder farmers under the 2025 Wet Season Matching Grant Implementation Scheme, aimed at promoting climate-smart agriculture, enhancing food security and increasing agricultural productivity across the state.
The intervention, implemented under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-supported Component Two of the SAPZ Programme, provides farmers with improved seeds, fertilizers, and other essential farm inputs to strengthen resilience against climate change and improve rural livelihoods.
In a statement issued by the Kano State Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, Hajiya Rabi Mustapha Sadiq, Wednesday, the initiative demonstrates the programme’s commitment to supporting farmers in overcoming challenges such as climate change, rising production costs and limited access to quality agricultural inputs.
Agro-Productivity Enhancement Officer, Dr. Rabi’u Sani Shawai, stated that the beneficiaries were drawn from eight participating local government areas.
A total of 1,410 rice farmers benefited from Garun Malam (320), Bagwai (550), Bichi (440), and Gezawa (100), while 1,300 groundnut farmers received inputs in Bebeji (400), Dawakin Tofa (352), Dambatta (298) and Gezawa (300).
The programme urged beneficiaries to adopt Good Agronomic Practices (GAP), including the use of improved seeds, proper spacing, balanced fertilizer application, integrated pest management and efficient water-use techniques to maximize yields and ensure sustainable production.
The statement also acknowledged the support of the federal government, Kano state government, IFAD, implementing partners, community leaders and farmer organisations for the successful implementation of the intervention.
The wet season distribution builds on the programme’s earlier 2025 dry season intervention, during which 10,889 farmers received agricultural inputs, including 9,834 rice farmers, 500 tomato farmers, and 555 groundnut farmers.
With the additional 2,710 wet season beneficiaries, the SAPZ Programme has now supported a total of 13,599 farmers in 2025, comprising 11,244 rice farmers, 1,855 groundnut farmers, and 500 tomato farmers across Kano state.