A multi-billion-naira Canadian initiative is set to transform agriculture and empower women and youth in Kano State.
Governor Abba Yusuf announced that the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-food Systems Empowering Women and Youth, RISE, project will support agribusinesses, small holder farmers, and cooperatives in Kano, Bauchi, and Kaduna states.
The initiative aims to enhance food security, boost productivity, and equip women and youth-led enterprises with essential skills and resources.
With a budget of over N20.2 billion (19.2 million Canadian dollars), the five-year project will create 8,000 jobs and promote climate-smart technology to address flooding and desertification. The Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada will implement the initiative in collaboration with Nigerian stakeholders.
Yusuf emphasized the importance of climate-smart solutions in reshaping agriculture and strengthening Kano’s economic resilience. He noted that while Nigeria’s agricultural sector has immense potential, it faces challenges such as climate change and market access issues.
The RISE project aligns with Canada’s Africa Strategy, which focuses on economic cooperation, sustainable development, and global peace. Under this strategy, Canada has committed 869.5 million Canadian dollars to development and humanitarian projects across Africa, with Nigeria receiving 345 million Canadian dollars in the last five years.
The governor expressed confidence that the project would drive Kano’s development goals by increasing small holder farmers’ productivity, strengthening agribusinesses, and tackling key challenges in the sector.
NAN
