………..Kaduna State Government Reaffirms Commitment to Agriculture.
The National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Hon. Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi, has urged beneficiaries of the AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria Smallholder Farmers Initiative in Kaduna State to take ownership of the project and use it to improve food security and their livelihoods.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at Arewa House, Kaduna, on Monday, 10th October 2025, Hon. Abdullahi encouraged the 345 beneficiaries to apply modern agricultural techniques and use the provided inputs responsibly. He noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, both of which emphasize inclusive and climate-resilient agriculture.
He commended the Kaduna State Government for its sustained investment in agriculture and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the project’s success.
Representing Governor Uba Sani, the Chief of Staff, Hon. Sani Kila, praised AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria for implementing a people-centered initiative that empowers smallholder farmers. He reaffirmed the State’s commitment to agricultural development, highlighting investments in feeder roads, storage facilities, farmer training, and market access.
Beneficiaries received improved seedlings of maize, cowpea, soybean, pepper, and tomato, with fertilizers, agrochemicals, compost manure, and water tanks for irrigation. Kaduna is the fifth of seven pilot states under the AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria Smallholder Farmers Initiative.
Signed
Mrs Iyabo Akinwale
AD & Head Media Unit
AUDA NEPAD Nigeria
20th October, 2025
