The Kaduna state government has made significant strides in recovering farmland and boosting agricultural production in the state. According to Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmad Maiyaki, the government has recovered over 500,000 hectares of farmland previously held by bandits and criminals. This recovery has enabled farmers to return to their farms, and schools and healthcare centers to reopen. The government's efforts have also led to a significant increase in food security and agricultural production in the state.
The Kaduna state government's efforts in the agricultural sector have been yielding positive results, with the state's GDP contribution from agriculture increasing significantly. Agriculture contributes about 42% to the state's GDP, and the government's interventions have led to a more than triple increase in yields. The state's farmers have been able to produce more, with the state retaining its position as the highest producer of maize, tomatoes, soya beans, and ginger in Nigeria.
The government's investment in the agricultural sector has been substantial, with the budget for the sector increasing significantly. In 2023, the government met a budgetary provision of N1.48 billion for the entire agriculture sector, but this was increased to N22 billion in 2024, N74 billion in 2025, and over N100 billion in 2026. This increased investment has enabled the government to provide support to farmers, including the distribution of 400-500 trucks of fertilizer to smallholder farmers at no cost.
The government's support for farmers has been comprehensive, targeting both smallholder and large-scale farmers. The government has distributed irrigation pumps, solar-powered irrigation pumps, and tractors to farmers, enabling them to farm all year round. Kaduna state is now the second leading state in mechanized agriculture after Kano state, with a high level of agricultural mechanization.
The impact of the government's efforts on poverty levels among communities has been significant. The government has targeted rural communities, ensuring that development is not only done in city centers. The government has identified 12 local government areas in the state that had not seen half a kilometer of road in over a decade and has embarked on road projects to connect these communities.
The government's efforts have also enhanced security in the state, with 90% of farmers and communities safe and back in their farms. Although the government has not declared victory over insecurity, it is confident that its efforts have secured communities and aided the goal of revitalizing the agriculture sector.
The government remains committed to addressing the threat of insecurity to the agricultural sector. With a focus on ensuring that people are safe and have access to food, the government is working to sustain its progress in the agricultural sector and reduce poverty levels among communities.
Key points
- - The Kaduna state government has recovered over 500,000 hectares of farmland previously held by bandits and criminals. - The government's investment in the agricultural sector has increased significantly, with a budget of over N100 billion in 2026. - The government's efforts have led to a significant increase in food security and agricultural production in the state.
