The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University Kano (BUK) distributed seeds to farmers in 22 neighboring communities on Thursday.
This effort addresses challenges faced by local farmers and aims to improve their farming practices.
The seed distribution was mentioned during the university’s 3rd Open Day for Exhibition Awards Presentation, where Professor Jibrin M. Jibrin, Director of the CDA, discussed the importance of this activity. “Our goal is to assist farmers with new farming techniques and improved seeds, such as corn, sorghum, and millet,” he stated.
Introduced two years ago, the CDA Open Day has evolved from being hosted on a farm to encompassing various aspects of agricultural business. This year’s event featured an agri-hacking competition with over 90 young businesses participating. Five of these were selected for support and funding after a rigorous assessment and mentorship process conducted by Apollo.
The event also facilitated discussions among representatives from the agriculture, business, and banking sectors, focusing on collaborations to advance Nigeria’s agricultural industry. These discussions attracted potential investor interest, promising further development.
Additionally, the CDA launched Agri-Hacking 2.0, designed to foster open interactions between farmers, industry partners, and academia. The initiative encourages attendees to share suggestions and recognizes outstanding CDA staff and partners for their contributions over the past year.
Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, discussed the CDA’s achievements in training and research. Represented by Professor Sani Muhammad Gumel, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Abbas noted that the CDA’s status as an African Center of Excellence in Agriculture is evidenced by a World Bank grant.
Beneficiaries like Hafsat Sani expressed their gratitude for the CDA’s ongoing support, highlighting the center’s role in easing their access to seeds and other essential inputs. The CDA also honored its outstanding staff with awards and cash prizes, reinforcing its commitment to their contributions.
This comprehensive approach by the CDA is expected to impact local agriculture, fostering increased productivity and resilience among farmers in the region.
