In Kano state, vegetable farmers have experienced a surge in harvests following a training session on innovative agricultural practices. The training, conducted during a 14-day Horticultural week in Dawakin Kudu, introduced farmers to efficient methods that have led to increased productivity and reduced pest attacks. Mahmud Isa, a participant from Birnin Kudu, shared his positive experience with the new techniques, highlighting the simplicity and effectiveness of the methods in boosting plant growth.
Abubakar Dayyabu, another farmer, recounted his two-year collaboration with the Horticulture Nigeria project, emphasizing the transformation in his farming approach. The project's guidance on seed selection, planting, and irrigation has simplified agricultural processes, including the introduction of a novel string method to support plant development. Dayyabu's investment in seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides, totaling around N300,000, is anticipated to yield substantial returns, tripling his initial outlay.
Aliyu Kandi, the Team Leader of HortiNigeria in Kano, reported that over the past four years, 50,000 smallholder farmers across Kano and Kaduna states have been educated on eco-efficient vegetable production. The training, hosted at Sa'adatu Rimi University of Education, Kano, is part of the HortiNigeria initiative, backed by the Embassy of the Netherlands. This initiative aims to bolster vegetable production in Nigeria through 2025, focusing on climate-smart agricultural practices to enhance the nation's food security.
Source: The Nation