From SANI ALIYU, Zaria
Sasakawa Africa Association in collaboration with AFEX, Premier Seeds and Da-Allgreen Seeds have engaged Women farmers group in Gonin Gora community of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Maize and Soya Beans farming system.
SpeaKing at the meeting held at ECWA Church hall at Gonin Gora Professor Isaac Eni a Consultant with Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria said, the project is to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of small holder farmers in the Maize and Soya Beans farming system in Kaduna and Niger states.
He said, the main objectives of the project is to increased maize and Soya Beans productivity by at least 30 percent and also to increase production and distribution of quality high yielding climate smart and nutrient dense maize and soya bean seeds.
Prof. Eni added that while unlucking the new high value markets for 100.000farmers as a result of strengthened cooperatives and leveraging the contract farming policy.
According to him, the project is aimed to enhance the integration of value chain actors coordinatoon at the state level for increased investment in agriculture.
He said, the project is funded by AGRA while project implementors are SAA, AFEX, Premier Seed and Da Allgreen Seed with commodities ratio of Maize 60 percent and Soya Beans 40 percent and the programme will run for 3 years.
On the location of the projects Kaduna State has 12 Local governments while Niger State has 8 Local government.
Professor Eni said 100.000 farmers are the beneficiaries with Women have 50 percent , 40 percent Youths and people with disabilities get 5 percent.
Agro input dealers Kaduna has 150 while Niger has 100.
Also speaking the APEX and Premier Seed representatives emphasizes the important of using certified seeds from a well recognized Seeds companies.
They assured the farmers of good working relationship during and after the harvesting period.
While advising the farmers to work with the experts advise and directives.
In her remark Hajiya Maimuna Sufiyan representative of Ministry for Local Government advised farmers not to give money to anyone as regards to this project.
She urged the farmers to work as a united team for them to get the benefit of Sasakawa Africa Association initiatives.
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