Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to forging stronger partnerships with international development agencies to drive agricultural transformation and stimulate economic growth across the state.
The Governor made this known on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the European Union (EU), including officials of the EU-VACE Agriculture Value Chain Facility and the Transformative Agriculture Systems for Rural Economic Development (BMZ), at the Government House, Kano.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad in Kano on Wednesday.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Sulaiman Wali Sani, Governor Yusuf described the visit as timely, noting that it aligns with his administration’s ongoing efforts to revitalise agriculture and enhance food security in Kano State.
He said his administration is repositioning agriculture as a key driver of development, citing the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development as a strategic step towards unlocking the sector’s full potential.
Governor Yusuf highlighted ongoing initiatives to modernise livestock production, including the provision of artificial insemination services, deployment of modern farming equipment, and targeted support for farmers to boost productivity across the agricultural value chain.
He further emphasised that animal health remains a top priority, with sustained interventions aimed at preventing and controlling livestock diseases while protecting farmers’ livelihoods.
The Governor noted that the livestock sector holds enormous potential for job creation, youth and women empowerment, and poverty reduction. He stressed that his administration is committed to creating an enabling environment for investment, expanding market access, and attracting agribusiness opportunities.
Welcoming the EU intervention, Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that the partnership would deliver technical expertise, foster innovation, and strengthen market linkages for farmers and agribusinesses throughout the state.
Speaking earlier, the European Union Representative to Nigeria, Hugh Briggs, said the EU values its longstanding partnership with Kano State, given its immense agricultural potential and strategic importance in Nigeria’s food production and agribusiness landscape.
He explained that the EU’s support is focused on promoting climate-smart agriculture, encouraging investment, strengthening food security, and driving innovation to improve productivity.
Briggs added that the EU is collaborating closely with Nigeria to address challenges such as climate change and inadequate investment, while empowering farmers, women, and young people across agricultural value chains.
Also speaking, Dr. Andrea Ruedigar, representative of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), disclosed that Germany currently has more than 30 development projects in Nigeria, with five already being implemented in Kano State.
She noted that these interventions target key agricultural value chains, including dairy, tomatoes, ginger, and cocoa.
Dr. Ruedigar emphasised the importance of climate-smart agriculture and sustainable food systems, noting that the programme is specifically designed to address low productivity, post-harvest losses, and limited investment in agribusiness.
She added that the partnership aims to create employment opportunities for women and youth, enhance food security, and support economic diversification across Kano State
Reaffirming the commitment of both GIZ and the EU, she pledged continued collaboration with the Kano State Government to ensure successful implementation of the programme and lasting improvements in rural livelihoods.
Kano State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Aliyu Isah Aliyu, underscored the importance of collaboration with development partners, describing such partnerships as vital to boosting agricultural productivity and strengthening the livestock sector in the state.