MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

Hon. Commissioner Mohammed S Ango Abdullahi

Kaduna State is essentially an agrarian society (about 75% engage in farming) which has the potentials to grow a diverse variety of crops both arable and tree. It also has potentials for the Livestock Industry and fisheries considering its endowments with both natural water bodies and dams. The state has a total land area of about 4.4m. hectares out of which about 2.0m hectares is arable land, with population put at above 6million people (2007 Census) made up of 450.

AGRICULTURE

• The Namadi administration, having focused Agriculture as the main stay of its economy, established a Special Agricultural Committee (the Kaduna State Think-tank Committee on Agriculture).

• The committee comprised of seasoned professionals and practitioners of Agriculture.

• They are saddled with the responsibility of advising the Government on ways of making Agriculture a model in the State.

Over the last 2 years, a lot of programmes were fashioned out in an attempt to alleviate the problems being faced by the farming populace, who constitute over 75% of the total population in the State. Agriculture accounts for an estimated 56 percent of Kaduna’s GDP and employs approximately 4 million people.  Kaduna produces 22 percent of the country’s maize, 69 percent of soya bean, 36 percent of cotton and 10 percent of ground nuts (peanuts) and the state trades agricultural produce to neighboring states.  The sector is dominated by wet season planting and an irrigated dry season planting.  Most farmers currently produce cereal crops such as maize, sorghum, millet and rice during the rainy season.  Cereal crops are exported to surrounding states and are an important source of cash.  Kaduna is the largest producer of rice in Nigeria and it exports substantial quantities to other Nigerian states and other African countries.  The state is also an important producer of fruits and vegetables that are supplied to the south.

While agriculture output is large and the main source of income in Kaduna, agricultural productivity is generally low.  There is great, untapped potential in the sector given the rich arable soil, optimal weather conditions across the state, and the limited use of modern farming inputs.  Farms that have invested in seeds and agro-chemicals and that have adopted new technologies and innovative production techniques have seen dramatic improvements in productivity.  There are also investment opportunities in tree crops and forest plantations. The State is well endowed with teak, melina and pine.

COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Commercial Agricultural Development Project in Kaduna State has already commenced.

• It is funded by the World Bank, FGN and Kaduna State Government.

• The potential beneficiaries are the Commercial farmers and individuals across the 23 LGAs in the State.

The Project aim:

• To increase the capacity of Agricultural production in the State through commercialization in:-

  •  -Dairy production.

  • -Maize production.

  • -Fruits production and processing.

  •  -Infrastructural development.

• To reduce post harvest losses through processing

• And to reduce the under utilization of processing machines due to power outages

• To reduce post harvest losses through processing

• And to reduce the under utilization of processing machines due to power outages

To date, the project has registered over 6,000 medium to large scale commercial farmers awaiting the commencement and actions of the World Bank. The State Government also facilitated for its farming citizen to benefit from the Federal Government’s internally initiated Commercial Agriculture Development Programme by arranging to pay for the required counterpart funds to Federal Government of Nigeria.

Benefits

• Provision of infrastructural needs of commercial farmers such as road to ease the transportation of goods in and out of farm and electricity for processing and other power need of the commercial farms in the State.

• Provision of support for the adoption of proven superior production and processing technologies.

• Link commercial farmers to partnering financial institutions and other approved standardization agencies

Market Opportunities

Kaduna state offers excellent opportunities for food processors, wholesale and retail distributors, and warehouse and logistics companies given the state’s large population, substantial agricultural output, major transportation routes and strategic location. The demand for business-to-business services will continue to grow, particularly in Food Processing, Light Manufacturing and Meat and Poultry Processing

Food Processing

Formal food processing businesses have not developed in Kaduna on a significant scale.  Most of Kaduna’s food processing activities are performed by small scale, informal businesses.  The rapid rate of urbanization, increasing participation of women in the work force and rising incomes are driving a trend towards convenient, easy to prepare processed foods.  This rising demand, combined with easy access to transportation and Kaduna’s large agricultural output, makes it economically feasible to process food close to the place of production.  Recent larger-scale investments have taken place in processing fruits, vegetables and vegetable oil and have proven highly profitable.  With agriculture accounting for well over 50 percent of state GDP and a high proportion of output requiring some basic processing, food processing is an investment-worthy sector.

Light Manufacturing

Opportunities in light manufacturing have multiplied and the industry has begun to grow as the construction industry grows.  Construction in the city of Kaduna is growing fast as new extensions to the city are built. The State Government under the leadership of Arc Namadi Sambo has been working in partnership with the private sector on project ideas and the means for establishing and expanding industrial production.  This has enabled the growth of industries related to wood-based products, building materials, household items, and tools.  Supply has not kept pace with growing demand, both for Kaduna and the surrounding states.

Demand from neighbouring northern states and countries is predicted to continue to rise because investment in these regions in light manufacturing has not been forthcoming due to their poor infrastructure, high-energy costs, and poor business environments. 

Meat and Poultry Processing

Nigeria has one of the largest livestock populations in Africa and Kaduna is the center of trade in livestock and livestock feed, attracting investors from neighbouring states and countries.  The State currently has 11 large livestock markets that make up 2.9 percent of Gross State Production.   Nigeria’s demand for meat and poultry has risen and will likely remain strong with increased urbanization, high income-elasticity for meat, women joining the workforce and lifestyle changes in favour of fast food and supermarkets.

Supplies of standard cuts of meat and poultry produced with hygienic techniques have not kept pace with domestic demand.  Between 2003 and 2005, the price of beef increased by 30 percent and price of chicken by 45 percent.  The price of lamb and goat recorded more modest increases.  The more rigorous buyer requirements, increasing demand for meat and poultry, and the availability of locally produced livestock feed helps to make investments in meat and poultry processing increasingly attractive and profitable.

      This is a State funded programme.

      It has the objectives of bringing about economic empowerment of the people of the State through effective and efficient harnessing of Agriculture and renewable natural resources of the State.

The State Government contracted an Agricultural Consultancy Firm (NITAG Consult Limited) who liaise with KADP, with a view to providing professional Agricultural consultancy Services through effective monitoring and supervision of all on-going Agricultural activities across the State to enable “Result – Based” achievements.

   During the period under review (2007 – 2009), Kaduna State Government facilitated KADP to link 66 Farmers Co-operatives across the State to various Banks and Micro Finance Agencies.

   This helped farmers across the State  to access loan for expansion of their Agricultural Production to the tune of   =N= 76.57 Million,

ESTABLISHMENT OF IRRIGATION SCHEMES

The State Government has approved the construction of Eight Irrigation Schemes across the State as First (1st) and Second (2nd) Phase, which are currently at various stages of completion.

This will:

• Facilitate all year round farming.

• Generate employment.

• Eradicate poverty.             

• Stops Rural–Urban migration across the State.

The 8 Irrigation Schemes under construction

}  Farakwai                     -           Igabi L.G.A.

}  Panshanu                     -           Igabi L.G.A.

}  Igabi                            -           Igabi L.G.A.

}  Unguwar Jaba              -           SabonGari L.G.A.

}  Pambegua                   -           Kubau L.G.A.

}  Kaya                            -           Giwa L.G.A

}  Jagindi                         -           Jema’a L.G.A

}  Bakin Kogi                   -           Zangon Kataf

Contract for the construction of another Dam was awarded at Hunkuyi in Kudan L.G.A.

SUPPLY OF AGRICULTURAL IMPUTS

Irrigation Pumps

7,000 Units of irrigation pumps are being sold to farmers of the State through Co-operatives at 65% subsidy.

Knapsack Sprayers

One of the modern Agricultural technologies being vigorously pushed by the ADP is the use of Agro-chemicals in farming operations so as to :-

- Reduce drudgery.

-  Control Weeds and Pests.

To support this, the State Government procured 7,000 units of Knapsack sprayers which are being sold to farmers at 60% subsidy.

Agricultural Chemicals

The State Government also approved seasonally, the procurement and sale of Agricultural Chemicals at 40% subsidy.

Agro-Chemicals

Improved Seeds

To ensure good quality seeds, improved varieties are made available to farmers, courtesy the State Government in conjunction with Institute for Agricultural Research (I.A.R) and Agricultural Seeds Council (A.S.C.). Seeds Out-grower Scheme is also being promoted and supported by Kaduna State Government. 

NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR FOOD SECURITY

The programme is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

   OBJECTIVES

To improve Food Security and Incomes of the beneficiaries through :-

• Increased production.

• Diversification.

• Sustainable use of natural resources in the State.

Funding arrangement

State Government’s Contribution:-                 =N= 42.40 Million  (Annual)

Nine (9) Benefiting L.G.As Contribute:-          =N= 32.40 million     (Annual)                                                          

Total                                                          =N= 74.80 Million

Participating LGAs

}  Northern Senatorial Zone                                        SITES

}  Kudan L.G.A                                                                 Likoro 

}  Makarfi L.G.A                                                              Gubuchi

}  Soba L.G.A                                                                   Turawa

}  Central Senatorial Zone

}  Chukun L.G.A                                                               Buruku

}  Giwa L.G.A                                                                  A/Kanawa

}  Kajuru L.G.A                                                               Iri

}  Southern Senatorial Zone

}  Jema’a L.G.A                                                               Jagindi

}  Kaura L.G.A                                                                 Fadan Atakar

}  Sanga L.G.A                                                                 Karshin Daji

Agriculture, Forestry and other Basic Activities: The agriculture and forest resources are enormous. On the gentle rolling high plains, the tropical ferruginous soils have been intensively used for cereal and cotton cultivation. Although the soils are poor because of leaching and poor cover management, but with good conservation and land management practices it is capable of supporting calcium rich annual grass for livestock development.

In the north of latitude 10°N, the soil is good for production of large quantities of cotton lint and seed for which Soba, Makarfi, Kudan, lkara, Kubau, Kauru and Lere LGAs are known. Yam and maize have successfully been producing high yields with the use of fertiliser in recent times, especially in Igabi, Giwa and Bimin Gwari LGAs. In the well watered southeastern part, the rich darker soils are used for cultivating cereals, cassava, rice and the famous Southern Kaduna ginger ("Chitta" in Hausa).

In the fadamas, the dark grey clay soils (vertisols) have become highly valued and are focused on for intensive agricultural activities especially during the dry season. Large areas of such fadamas are being used for economically valuable market gardening for growing tomatoes, chillies, sweet pepper, okra, onion, Irish potato and sugar cane using traditional "shadoof" irrigation (in the flood plains/fadama of Galma and Tubo basins).

Presently, the traditional irrigation scheme is too small and laborious to cope with the rate of expansion and agricultural development of the fadama lands. The State Government is intensifying feasibility studies and seeking interested industrialists and agro allied companies to invest in the area.

Recently, grapevine growing has been introduced and has gained wide acceptance on small but intensively cultivated farms. A few large scale vineyards have also been established on the lower Galma valley near Zaria. Small farm holdings of ten to fifteen vines produce between 200 and 300 kg. That these small farms produce mainly for local markets, in Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, suggests that the state has considerable potential for vineyard development. Except in some favourable localities along the river line areas and in the southern LGAs, there is limited forest resources.

Much of the woody shrubs in the northern parts have been felled for fuel wood. Because of the annual bush fires during the long dry season, the grass straw traditionally used for roofing in the rural areas are becoming scarce. In the south, there are good stands of hard tropical trees such as mahogany and raffia palm bushes.

These are still being exploited for building construction. State and local governments are embarking on improving the vegetation cover in the state by planting fast-growing and drought resistant trees in large plantations, called Forest Reserves. Despite a substantial fraction of the state's annual budget being allocated to the development of agriculture, productivity is still comparatively low.

Kaduna State has the potentials to produce large quantities and good quality livestock for consumption in the state and for interstate trade. Indeed, the area bounded by parallel 10°30' and longitude 8°00' westward, possesses development potential for excellent range land to support large-scale livestock production. The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) at Shika near Zaria also offers good veterinary/technical advice and services.

There is good infrastructure already established for good takeoff of beef, mutton, pork, poultry and dairy products in large quantities for national markets. Furthermore, based on the livestock rearing habits, love for it as food, and a probably large market for pork in the area and many southern states, there is need for a good piggery industry in the southern Kaduna area.

Livestock: Livestock resources in the state are still on a small scale, and are used mainly to raise cash during emergencies or meet demands during religious festivals. Based on the 1991 live stock survey in urban Zaria and its rural fringe alone, there were over 16,000 heads of cattle (zebu), about 180,000 goats,138,000 sheep and rams, 10,000 pigs, 55,000 rabbits and over 880,000 birds (poultry, mainly chicken, kept in commercial farm pens and on traditional free-range in compounds).

n the southern parts, pig rearing is dominant. The number of pigs in the area is not known. However, considering the urban livestock surveys in Zaria and Kaduna in 1991, most of the pigs are kept and owned by people from Jama'a, Sanga, Zango Kataf, Jaba, Kachia and Kagarko LGAs.

Minerals: In Birnin Gwari LGA, the graphite, kyanite and rutile reported to be in large quantities are good sources of raw materials for pencils and welding electrodes and ceramic industries. Even the ease to mine magnetite/haematite in the same locality is still being exploited locally for making local iron implements; but it has the potential to support small to medium furnace for production of iron billets that can in turn be used in small scale industries. Also, some broad river valleys in the north western quadrant are rich sources of sand and granite rocks (for crushing) and clay (especially) kaolinite that are already being exploited in the building industry.

Existing Industries: Almost all the industries in Kaduna State are located in Zaria and Kaduna urban centres. Indeed, all the heavy manufacturing industrial establishments are concentrated in Kaduna alone. Certainly, the locations are influenced by government policy and probably market. For example, the high concentration of textile manufacturing industries in Kaduna with just two in Zaria, and none in Soba, Maigana or Saminaka which are cotton producing towns, illustrate the strong governmental control.

Also, the Federal Government's decisions in the mid1970s to locate a petroleum refinery and an automobile assembly plant (PAN) in the city, further widened its industrial growth base and increased the agglomeration in Makera/Tudun Wada, Kakuri, along Kachia Road. Other major manufacturing industries in the city include Super Phosphate Fertiliser Company Ltd., National Oil and Chemical Company Ltd and Petrochemical Company Ltd. Again, all these are Federal Government Parastatals.

Appendix I shows the range of existing heavy industries in Kaduna State. There are other small to medium scale industries too numerous to list but are very important in providing potable equipment for rural dwellers' use (e.g. in old "Panteka" market, construction of metal doors, windows and frames, boxes; grinding stones, huller machines; Kitchen wares, ox plough blade, planters, shellers, etc. may be found). Certainly, there is need to encourage location of other industries outside Kaduna urban centre in the future.

Local Sourcing of Raw Materials: Some cultivated crops require special mention for their potentials as sources of raw materials in some localities of the state. Sugar cane, grown in the flat fadamas, has been discussed. Its production is still in small individual farmers' plots of 1 hectare along the Galma and Tubo valleys.

There are two varieties, the white and brown. However, the brown variety has gained more popularity recently because it gives higher yield per hectare. On aver age, an individual farmer harvests 1215 tonnes of the cane per year which sells for between N10,000.00 and N15,000.00.

Apart from its use as a refreshment among the local people, some quan tity is being used for making local candy ("Alawa" in Hausa) and brown sugar ("MazarKwoila" in Hausa) in Makarfi and lkara LGAs in the Galma river sys tem. Ginger, a spicy rhizome plant grown in the local government areas south of latitude 10°00'N, was a major national export up till the onset of heavy petroleum exportation in the mid 1960s.

High pro duction from the state made Nigeria a world pro ducer of ginger since the 1930s. Although export has declined, production in large tonnage has not abated. A market survey carried out in Kwoi district, a major producing area, estimates that up to 460 tonnes are produced annually in Jaba LGA alone.

Another agricultural commodity that is already an industrial raw material is tobacco leaf, grown mainly in Soba LGA since the 1930s. The success of a tobacco pilot farm project at Maigana, gave the district the lead in becoming a major national tobacco producing area with a curing centre.

A training school was established for local farmers in 1986 and is located at Tashar Iche for Fifteen -thirty students at any one time/season. Besides, a factory with current labour force of over 3,500 is located in Zaria. The company manufactures several brands of cigarettes running into several million sticks annually. Cotton is also an important agricultural product that has high development potentialities.

The trial of a crossbreed of the local variety, the Gossypium hirsutum and the 26J (N.A) at Zaria during the first decade of the last century, gave Kaduna State a long history of its production. By the mid1930s, cotton production from northern Nigeria, mainly centred in Zaria, increased and now produced over 98 percent of the total cotton lint demands. With the establishment of ginneries, the Cotton Agricultural Processing Company (former BCGA), cotton seed is processed for oil and livestock feeds.

However, as yet, there are only two textile manufacturing industries in Zaria (Tarpaulin Manufacturing). Certainly, the establishment of other light textile industries or cotton yarn will further stimulate cotton production in Soba, Igabi, Giwa and Zaria LGAs.

In summary, the Agricultural Sector, under the leadership of Arc Namadi Sambo has received a reasonable share with an expenditure of N8.26billion expended on varied agricultural development programmes. The State Government efforts at providing the necessary support to our farmers was further re-enforced massive supply and distribution of fifty thousand metric tonnes (50,000mt) of fertilizer at the cost of N5.48billion in 2009, a total of over 180 thousand metric tonnes (180,000mt) of fertilizer since inception, the rehabilitation and construction of Strategic Grains Storage Facility; also further boosted by the allocation of the sum of N168million while animal traction got N189million. The State purchased agro-chemicals worth N15million and improved seedlings worth N32million for distribution to farmers. Awarded contracts for the supply of small irrigation pumps and spraying equipment worth N549million for distribution at subsidized rates to dry-season farmers. On the same vein, Grains worth N13.5million was procured and stored in the Strategic Grain Reserve Scheme. Bee keeping which is fast becoming one of our new agricultural initiatives received a boost when the sum of N4million was earmarked and expended in its promotion. The contribution to poverty reduction and food security in the State through enhanced access to high yielding upland NERICA rice varieties to increase Rice production and Import substitution Many farmers have improved their income as a result of the NERICA Project. For example, one Mrs. Hannatu in Kujama is currently constructing a five bedroom flat from the proceeds of the NERICA rice farm.

Our contribution to National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIC) was honoured when we paid the premium of N3million while Kaduna Agricultural Development Project (KADP) programmes gulped a whooping sum of N1billlion. Contracts were also awarded for the construction of Hunkuyi, Kuzuntu and Kufana Earth Dams worth N1.36billion. Consultants were engaged for the production of designs and documentations for the construction of three (3) Multi-Purpose Dams that will provide about seventy thousand (70,000) Hectres of irrigation land, 70mw of Hydro power and raw water supply to Kaduna Metropolis up to year 2035.

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