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Kano Livestock Fattening Scheme: A Game-Changer for Rural Empowerment Amid Criticism
Kano Livestock Fattening Scheme: A Game-Changer for Rural Empowerment Amid Criticism
Mischievous Criticism of a Life-Saving Initiative
By Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa
The Kano State Government has countered unfounded criticisms of its livestock fattening and goat reproduction scheme, which is a key component of the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Programme (KSADP).
These attacks, aimed at undermining a life-changing initiative, have been described by the government as mischievous attempts to misinform the public and derail efforts to empower rural communities.
The criticisms particularly targeted the recent distribution of goats to female farmers, an initiative designed to support animal husbandry, improve livelihoods, and enhance food security in Kano State.
Significance of the Livestock Fattening Scheme
The KSADP program, launched in 2019, is a $95 million project funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), and the Kano State Government.
Its overarching aim is to reduce poverty by 30% among beneficiaries and improve nutrition by boosting meat production in Kano State.
The program is built on three core components:
1. Agro-Pastoral Productivity and Production Enhancement – Aimed at increasing meat and livestock productivity.
2. Market Access and Value Addition – To improve the economic potential of agricultural products.
3. Project Coordination and Management – Ensuring seamless implementation and impact.
The Agro-Pastoral Productivity Enhancement component has been particularly impactful.
Livestock farmers participating in the scheme have seen significant improvements in meat yield, with bulls producing an additional 100kg of beef and rams contributing an additional 15kg of meat after a 120-day fattening period.
Similarly, goats under the reproduction scheme are expected to yield at least two kids within six to twelve months, ensuring long-term benefits for farmers.
Impact on Meat Production and Livelihoods
The livestock fattening initiative is a lifeline for thousands of rural families.
By increasing beef, mutton, and goat meat production, the program is addressing the twin challenges of poverty and malnutrition.
At the end of every fattening cycle, the program is expected to yield 6,000 metric tons of additional beef and mutton, significantly contributing to improved nutrition and food security in Kano State.
Sustaining the Program Under Governor Abba Yusuf
Recognizing the importance of continuity, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has prioritized the KSADP scheme as a key part of his administration’s agenda.
Building on the foundation laid by the previous administration, the Governor approved the continuation of livestock distribution, ensuring that rural communities continue to benefit from this transformative initiative.
To maintain transparency and fairness, Governor Yusuf directed that community representatives, under the Community Reorientation Committee (CRC), be actively involved in selecting beneficiaries.
This approach has not only strengthened public trust but also ensured that the program reaches those who need it most.
Recent Milestones in Livestock Distribution
Under Governor Yusuf’s leadership, the KSADP initiative has seen remarkable progress:
First Cycle (Second Phase):
Conducted in August 2023, where thousands of goats and rams were distributed to women across all 44 local government areas.
Second Cycle (First Phase):
Launched recently, distributing over 7,000 goats to more than 2,000 women.
The program has also outlined future plans for subsequent phases of the second cycle.
These include the distribution of rams to male and female youth, as well as bulls exclusively to young men for fattening purposes.
Economic and Nutritional Benefits of the Scheme
The livestock fattening program is more than just a distribution exercise—it represents a holistic approach to rural development.
By providing women and youth with livestock, the program is fostering financial independence, creating generational occupations, and addressing food insecurity.
With a significant portion of Kano’s population engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, the initiative is enhancing rural incomes and diversifying economic opportunities.
The availability of protein-rich meat, such as beef, mutton, and goat meat, is improving household nutrition, particularly in underserved communities.
Kano’s Leadership in Livestock Farming
Data from the 2024 National Agricultural Sample Census highlights Kano State’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s livestock industry.
The Northwest region contributes 33% of the country’s livestock, with Kano State alone accounting for 8%.
This includes approximately 1.458 million goats, making Kano the second-largest livestock producer in Nigeria after Bauchi State.
In addition, Kano boasts the highest number of agricultural households in the country, totaling approximately 2.369 million.
These figures underscore the state’s comparative advantage in agriculture and livestock farming, making initiatives like KSADP a natural fit for the region’s development needs.
Modernizing Agriculture Through KSADP
KSADP has introduced cutting-edge technology to transform agricultural practices in Kano.
This includes improved seeds, regenerative agriculture techniques, and extensive farmer training programs on modern agronomical systems.
The initiative is empowering farmers to increase their output while preserving the environment, positioning Kano State as a leader in sustainable agriculture.
By leveraging these advancements, Governor Yusuf’s administration is fostering a new era of productivity and innovation in Kano’s agricultural sector.
Empowering Women and Youth Through Livestock Distribution
The program’s emphasis on female farmers underscores the administration’s commitment to gender inclusivity and rural empowerment.
Women, traditionally the backbone of rural economies, are being equipped with the tools and resources to improve their livelihoods and contribute to economic growth.
The targeted involvement of youth further ensures the sustainability of the program.
By engaging the next generation in livestock farming, the initiative is creating long-term employment opportunities and addressing youth unemployment in Kano.
Strengthening Rural Communities Through Livestock Enhancement
With Kano’s rich agricultural heritage, the KSADP scheme is perfectly aligned with the state’s cultural and economic strengths.
By supporting livestock farming, the government is reviving ancestral occupations, enhancing the quality of life for rural dwellers, and reducing the urban-rural economic divide.
A Vision for a Prosperous Kano State
Governor Yusuf’s leadership is rooted in his vision to empower ordinary citizens through sustainable initiatives.
The KSADP livestock fattening scheme is a testament to this commitment, delivering tangible benefits to rural communities and strengthening Kano’s position as a leading agricultural state in Nigeria.
Sanusi Bature DawakinTofa
Is the Director General, Media and Publicity, writes from Government House, Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has commissioned a Quick Response Squad of the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, alongside operational equipment worth hundreds of millions of naira, as part of efforts to intensify the fight against drug abuse, thuggery and illicit trafficking.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commissioning took place on Thursday, marking another step in the state government’s efforts to tackle substance abuse through enforcement, rapid response, rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration of affected persons into society.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gov Yusuf expressed satisfaction with what he described as progress recorded in the fight against drug abuse across the state.
“I am the happiest man in Kano today as we continue to push drug abuse down to the barest minimum,” he said.
The governor said the newly established squad would strengthen the operational capacity of the task force by enabling it to respond promptly to reports, drug-related incidents and emerging threats associated with illicit trafficking.
He explained that the provision of operational equipment was part of his administration’s commitment to equipping relevant agencies with the necessary tools to address the drug menace.
Gov Yusuf, however, stressed that the campaign should go beyond arrest and prosecution, noting that rehabilitated persons must be given opportunities to acquire skills and engage in legitimate economic activities.
He said the government would sustain skills acquisition and apprenticeship programmes to keep rehabilitated persons meaningfully engaged and reduce the risk of relapse into drug use and other criminal activities.
The governor commended the chairman and members of the task force for their dedication and commitment, saying the achievements recorded within a relatively short period demonstrated the importance of collaboration among government agencies and other stakeholders.
Accompanied by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Ismaila Falgore, and other senior government officials, Gov Yusuf inspected the newly commissioned facility and the equipment procured for the task force.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Barr Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the Quick Response Squad and the newly acquired equipment would enhance the agency’s capacity to respond effectively to drug-related challenges.
He reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustaining its operations against substance abuse and illicit trafficking, assuring the governor that it would not relent in carrying out its mandate.
Barr Rimin Gado expressed appreciation to the governor for providing political and operational support, which he said had strengthened the task force’s activities.
He noted that tackling drug abuse required collective responsibility, involving government institutions, security and regulatory agencies, traditional and religious leaders, parents, communities and educational institutions.
The chairman pledged that the task force would sustain its preventive, enforcement, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes while strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders to reduce substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
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