The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on Tuesday launched a mechanization center at Kadawa, Garun Mallam local government area of Kano state, one of the three such agricultural mechanization hubs aimed at reducing drudgery and boosting productivity.
The project is executed by the KSADP, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and Livelihoods Fund, LLF, and its crop value chain is implemented by the Sasakawa Africa Association.
It aligns with the Islamic Development Bank’s agricultural policy, which focuses on promoting sustainable, resilient, and equitable agriculture and rural development in its member countries by addressing poverty and enhancing food security through modernizing food systems.
The mechanization hub is equipped with modern farm equipment, including tractors, power tillers, planters, harvesters and threshers, supported by trained operators and technicians.
This sustainable service provider model is designed not only to improve efficiency but also to cut production costs and reduce post-harvest losses, which remain among the biggest constraints facing agriculture in Nigeria.
Speaking during the commissioning event, Dr. Rami Ahmad, the Vice President (Operations), described the event as a landmark achievement expressing hope that the positive ripples of the project would impact farming communities in Kano and beyond.
Dr. Ahmad was emphatic that, “It is a collective success story that will serve the people of Kano State and surrounding regions for years to come”.
“From crop production t, irrigation, value addition, processing and livestock productivity enhancement to climate-resilient initiatives, the benefits of this project will crystallize over time”, he maintained.
The Vice President was confident that the state and private sector in the state would join hands to to sustain and expand the initiative beyond the donor initiative.
While expressing appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank for its support, a farmer from Chiromawa community, Sagir Abubakar, expressed with delight that because of the mechanization support they received, members of his farmers’ cooperative had collectively generated over N21 million, out of which N20 million was saved in their account and N1. 3 million was disbursed to the members to buy seeds and other inputs.
