Kano Govt, APPEALS Project to engage fresh graduates in Tomato Production

The Kano State government says it would engage fresh graduates in the production of tomatoes under the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support APPEALS project.

The Permanent Secretary in the state ministry of agriculture and natural resources, Balarabe Hassan Karaye who doubles as the Chairman State Technical Committee on APPEALS project stated this on Thursday when he led the committee to supervise project implementation in Kano, Kadawa, Chiromawa, Bagauda, and Karfi as part of Post Implementation of value chain investment plan scheduled in matching Grant scheme for technology adopture.

According to him, the state government would also engage its technical staff in the state from the state Agricultural and Rural Development Authority KNARDA so that they could monitor what is going on and take over from APPEALS project when it winds up.

In his remark, the state APPEALS Projects Coordinator, Hassan Ibrahim said no fewer than 340 beneficiaries of the APPEALS Project under the Bagauda Tomato production cluster are currently providing tomato using production technology.

He also explained that the market had since been created while export has been designed to commence.

Kano state government has pledged to partner with donor agencies in providing modern agricultural equipment for use by farmers.

The state Deputy Governor Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna disclosed this while inspecting some agricultural groups provided with modern farming equipment through the APPEALS project.

The Deputy Governor represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Balarabe Karaye acknowledged the effort of the Federal Government for supporting some farmers in Kano state under the project which he described as a Welcome development.

The Permanent Secretary called on the farmers especially those who have benefited from the Federal Government Programme to utilize the opportunity so the state can compete with advanced countries.

On his part, the state Coordinator of the APPEALS Project, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan said the project was initiated by the Federal Government to enhance the Agricultural productivity of Small and Medium-scale farmers and improve the value addition of Rice, Tomato, and Wheat in Kano State.

According to him, the project had since its inception supported the achievement of increased productivity, production, and improving processing and marketing of Rice, Tomato, and Wheat.

It has also fostered job creation among Women and Youth and People with Special Needs and Disabilities in Kano State.