By Dipo Olowookere
No fewer than 800 agricultural extension workers have been employed by the Kano State government in a bid to boost the sector and make it one of the main source of export and revenue generation in the ancient city.
Kano State Governor, Mr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, while receiving in his office a delegation from Sasakawa Africa Association under the leadership of Senior Executive Director of the Association Mr Osako Katsuhiro, explained that the agric extension workers would educate farmers on newly adapted agricultural techniques that will drive agricultural activities to a higher level in the state.
The Governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, noted that as important as extension workers were to the development of agricultural activities, his administration had seen more need for them.
He added that Kano State government would continue to partner with the Sasakawa Africa Association, particularly in the area of modern agricultural services with a view to improving agricultural activities in the state.
“Kano is blessed with abundant fertile land with reasonable number of people that practice farming especially in the rural areas. So, our target is that farmers become conversant with new techniques of modern farming,” he said.
In her remarks, Executive Director of the association Ms Fumiko Iseki, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, stated that they were in Kano to see the level of their intervention in regards to farming and farmer development.
“Kano is the largest grain market not only in the country but for the whole West Africa, considering its status in the field of agriculture, Sasakawa has attached a great emphasis in ensuring that agricultural activities have been enhanced in the state, “she explained.
