The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Dr. Uba Sani, yesterday, has signed a significant agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Nigeria.
Represented by Country Representative M. Koffy Dominique Kuaku, the FAO partnership aims to strengthen agricultural development, improve food security, and promote sustainable practices in the state, with a focus on reducing post-harvest losses in tomato production.
The agreement, valued at $400,000, marks a crucial step towards supporting local tomato farmers, improving productivity, and advocating for long-term sustainable farming methods.
“This milestone underscores my commitment to developing and strengthening agriculture in Kaduna State,” said Governor Uba Sani, emphasizing the state’s potential as Nigeria’s top producer of tomatoes.
Kaduna, with its vast agricultural resources, including abundant water and arable land, is well-positioned to meet both local and national demands for tomatoes.
“With a youthful population eager to participate in agriculture, we are confident that this partnership will create more opportunities for our youth and elevate the livelihoods of our farmers,” the governor added.
The Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) aims to enhance the tomato value chain by reducing post-harvest losses, increasing production efficiency, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Governor Uba Sani’s administration has placed agriculture at the forefront of its priorities, allocating N74 billion (9.36%) of the 2025 state budget to the sector.
In 2024, the administration provided essential inputs to over 41,000 smallholder farmers and conducted the largest fertilizer distribution in the state’s history, delivering 500 trucks (240,000 bags) of fertilizer.
Furthermore, it has invested in mechanization by acquiring 12 heavy-duty tractors to boost agricultural productivity across the state.
This partnership with FAO signals a bright future for agriculture in Kaduna, ensuring both short-term benefits for local farmers and long-term sustainability for the state’s agricultural sector.