From Muawuya bala ldris Katsina.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in collaboration with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL Project), has established a demonstration farm in Katsina State to promote modern farming practices and improve agricultural productivity.
The demonstration site is located at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua University farm in Katsina to expose farmers to improved farming techniques, high-yield crop varieties and effective pest control methods.
Speaking during the inauguration on Tuesday the Lead Consultant, Professor Muhuyidden Oyekunle, said the demonstration farm would cultivate major crops including cowpea, maize and groundnut.
According to him, this will provide practical training for farmers in climate-smart agriculture, improved seeds, and modern pest management techniques, thereby increasing crop yields and enhancing food security.
Professor Muyidden explained that the project goes beyond crop production, saying that one of its major mandates is to provide technical assistance to farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
He added that the demonstration would establish a range of pilot innovations that could be replicated across communities in Katsina State.
The lead consultant further stated that the programme would identify viable agribusiness opportunities and study the local ecosystem to understand barriers to agricultural development.
According to him, the project is also committed to ensuring that its interventions address the needs of women and young people by promoting inclusive participation in agricultural activities.
Prof Muyidden said that community sensitisation and engagement would be central to achieving lasting systems change, adding that collaboration with local farmers would ensure the programme’s sustainability.
On his part, the Katsina ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Alhaji Nafiu Muhammed Musa, said the partnership between IITA and ACReSAL would improve farming techniques and agricultural activities across the state.
Mahammed expressed confidence that the project would contribute to the socio-economic development of Katsina by increasing productivity, creating employment opportunities and strengthening farmers’ capacity to adopt modern agricultural practices.
He further noted that the administration of Governor Mallam Dikko Umar Radda has placed agriculture at the centre of its development agenda.
Mahammed said the introduction of IITA’s innovative farming approaches would complement the state’s ongoing efforts to transform the agricultural sector and improve farmers’ livelihoods in Katsina State