By Dr. Abdullahi Ahmad
Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has approved the award of N88m worth of contract to the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, for the production of fodder or pasture (grass) on a 20 hectare plot at Dudduru, in Ajingi Local Government Area of the state.
The award of the contract which was followed by the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Government and the Institute which took place at the state’s office of the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) recently, had in attendance, Chief Executive Officers of the KSADP and NAPRI.
The project which is financed by Islamic Development Bank (IDB) included the production of Gamba Grass (Andropogoan Gayamus), Cook Stylo Legume (Stylothensis Guanensis) and Napier/Elephant Grass (Pennisetum Purppureum).
A letter earlier sent to the Executive Director of NAPRI, Professor Abdullahi Kolo Mohammed, signed by the Kano State Project Coordinator of KSADP, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba Mohammed, said the project is aimed at addressing key issues including seasonal migration of herders from North to South, agricultural productivity and increased in incomes for mainly rural communities across Kano State.
“Specifically, the project is aimed at improving livelihoods of the target beneficiaries, by improving agricultural infrastructure, access to input, value addition and market access, extension services delivery and capacity building.” The letter highlighted.
It also stressed that the project is structured around three principal components – agro-pastoral productivity and production enhancement, value addition and market access, as well as project management and coordination.
Commenting on the award of the project, which is the first of its kind to be won in the 92 year old history of the institute, Professor Abdullahi Kolo Mohammed thanked Gov. Ganduje for the confidence his government reposed on the institute. He therefore promised the government that NAPRI will do its best to justify the confidence reposed on it.