TEXT OF A PRESS BRIEFING BY HON. MURTALA DABO, COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE, KADUNA STATE, ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF GOVERNOR UBA SANI IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
Distinguished members of the press, esteemed stakeholders, and the good people of Kaduna State,
It is with great pride and profound gratitude to Almighty God that I stand before you today to unveil the monumental strides so far made in the agricultural sector under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani. The transformation we have witnessed in this sector is nothing short of historic, and it is all thanks to the relentless drive of His Excellency, whose commitment to the empowerment of our farmers and the food security of our state has inspired these unprecedented achievements.
Under Governor Uba Sani’s leadership, agriculture has been placed at the centre of the state’s development agenda. The 2024 budget allocated N22.54 billion to the agricultural sector, representing nearly 5% of the total state budget. This demonstrates His Excellency’s profound commitment to turning Kaduna into a thriving agricultural powerhouse and securing our future through sustainable farming practices.
In the last year alone, Kaduna State has become a beacon of hope for smallholder farmers, an engine of economic growth, and a model of agricultural excellence. In line with Governor Uba Sani’s Governance Agenda, we have redefined what is possible in agriculture, proving that with the right leadership, a state cannot only feed itself but also lead a revolution in sustainable farming and rural development. Permit me to highlight some of our remarkable achievements.
1.Tallafin Noma: A Groundbreaking Intervention for Farmers
Under the remarkable palliative program, Sustainable Livelihoods Through Social Interventions and Economic Empowerment, the Get Back to Farm initiative has breathed new life into our agricultural sector. With the direct backing of Governor Uba Sani, we distributed vital inputs—high-quality seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and farming equipment—to 41,693 smallholder farmers and cooperatives across all 23 LGAs. This initiative is a game-changer for our farmers, restoring their livelihoods and driving increased productivity across the state.
2.Swift Response to the Ginger Blight Epidemic: Leadership in Action
Faced with a devastating ginger blight that threatened the backbone of our cash crop economy, His Excellency’s decisive action saved the day. Through the rapid deployment of scientists and the distribution of 12,800 units of agrochemicals, we provided critical support to 3,294 smallholder ginger farmers. The Governor’s leadership didn’t stop there—he championed a N1.6 billion Recovery Package from the National Agricultural Development Fund, ensuring our farmers were equipped to recover and diversify their crops. This is leadership that delivers results.
3.The Largest Free Fertilizer Distribution in Kaduna’s History
Governor Uba Sani made history by approving the distribution of 500 trucks of fertilizer from which 240,000 bags has been distributed free to 120,000 smallholder farmers. This intervention, the first of its kind in recent memory, is a cornerstone of the His Excellency’s Governance Agenda and will supercharge farm yields across Kaduna State. By removing the financial barriers to agricultural inputs, His Excellency has guaranteed that our farmers can cultivate with confidence and that our state will reap the rewards of higher productivity and income.
