Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) in partnership with the Kano state government, has trained 45 indigenous fabricators to manufacture agro-processing machines and boost agricultural production in the state.
The move is aimed at promoting mechanised farming among farmers in the state, under the Kano State Agropastoral Development Project (KSADP), according to Moses Nongoatse, communication officer at SAA.
He said the agricultural sector in the state is undergoing a transformation driven by the increasing adoption of mechanisation, with a major focus on ensuring increased productivity and reducing farmers’ labour burden.
“In response to the challenges faced by local manufacturers of agricultural machines, KSADP funded by the Islamic Development Bank Lives and Livelihoods Funds and the Kano government has launched a training program in collaboration with the Agricultural Engineering Department workshop at the Institute of Agricultural Research of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria,” he said.
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He added that the program aims to enhance the skills of local fabricators and welders, enabling them to produce high-quality agricultural machines that meet the needs of smallholder farmers.
“So far, 45 local fabricators(selected from the 44 LGAs of the state) have been trained and empowered with welding and fabrication kits worth N8.5 million to enhance their trade. The kits include a pair of welding Helmets, Safety Glasses, Welding inverter machines, Angle grinders, safety booths, and protective gloves.”
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“The training program facilitated by the Sasakawa Africa Association, implementing the crop component of the KSADP, focused on practical skills development, with 90 percent of the training dedicated to hands-on activities,” he said.
