The Federal Government, through the Kano State Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) Programme in partnership with IFAD, has empowered 9,870 rice farmers in Kano State with climate-resilient inputs and modern rice production technologies.

This is contained in a statement by the SAPZ Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, Rabi Mustapha.

The state Project Coordinator, Aminu Iliyasu, stated this on Sunday during the Farmers Field Day at Chiromawa Garin Babba Cluster in the Garun Malam Local Government Area of the state.

He said the exercise was organised to expose the farmers to science-based and practical solutions capable of enhancing yields, improving food security, and boosting rural livelihoods.

Mr Iliyasu described the field day as a celebration of knowledge, innovation and the resilience of smallholder farmers.

He explained that the SAPZ initiative in Kano Statw aimed to expand access to improved technologies, strengthen extension services, reduce post-harvest losses and create market opportunities for rural farmers.

He stated, “These innovations are not theoretical. They are practical solutions that farmers can adopt immediately to raise productivity and increase income.”

He also commended the support of local authorities.

Ms Mustapha said the inputs distributed to 9,870 farmers included FARO 44 improved seeds, Urea and NPK fertilizers, and insecticides, targeting beneficiaries in Garun Malam, Gezawa, Bichi and Bagwai LGAs during the 2025 wet season.

She added that experts trained farmers on soil selection, seed dressing, nursery establishment, land preparation, and timely transplanting at proper spacing.

“They also covered fertilizer management, weed control, Integrated pest management and water regulation to boost rice yields. The training emphasised harvesting at optimal maturity, drying paddy to safe moisture levels, and fumigation using phostoxin to prevent storage losses,” she stated.

A beneficiary, Salamatu Ali, said the intervention had positioned Kano State farmers to boost yields, withstand climate pressures and increase household incomes.

Another farmer, Huwaila Ibrahim, said the programme transformed her approach to rice production.

“Before, we planted without checking whether the land was suitable. Now, we first assess the soil to ensure it matches the seed variety. This season, we cultivated FARO 44,” she said.

Ms Ibrahim added that her output increased from 20–25 bags per acre to about 40 bags after adopting the improved technologies.

(NAN)