The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), through its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, has partnered with the Kano State Government to empower 1,445 households with home gardening toolkits aimed at improving nutrition and household food security.
Implemented under the Targeted Nutrition Support Programme, the initiative was carried out between October 3 and 6 across eight Local Government Areas; Kura, Garun Mallam, Bebeji, Dambatta, Gezawa, Dawakin Tofa, Bichi, and Bagwai. A total of 180 women in each area benefited from the intervention, reflecting the programme’s strong emphasis on empowering women and vulnerable groups.
Speaking at the distribution exercise, IFAD-SAPZ representatives noted that the programme seeks to enable families to grow nutrient-rich vegetables and crops within their homes, thereby tackling micronutrient deficiencies and enhancing dietary diversity, particularly among children and pregnant women.
The Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture commended the initiative, describing it as a timely contribution to the state’s agricultural transformation agenda, which prioritizes mechanisation, women and youth empowerment, and the expansion of agricultural extension services.
“This initiative goes beyond food production. It’s about strengthening livelihoods, promoting resilience, and ensuring that households can sustain their own nutritional needs,” the commissioner stated.
The home gardening toolkits include essential inputs such as seeds, tools, and fertilizers, enabling beneficiaries to practice small-scale, nutrition-sensitive farming at the household level. The intervention is also expected to stimulate local economies through increased demand for agricultural inputs and to serve as a model for community-driven agricultural development.
Through the IFAD-SAPZ programme, Kano continues to benefit from sustainable, inclusive, and nutrition-focused agricultural initiatives designed to enhance food security and improve the well-being of rural households.
