Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State stated on Tuesday that Nigerians have no excuse to go hungry, given the country’s agricultural potential. His remarks came during a courtesy visit to Mohammed Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), where he emphasized that agriculture remains central to economic growth and employment in Nigeria.
During the visit, Radda reiterated Katsina’s strong dependence on agriculture, pointing out that nearly 90% of the state’s population is engaged in farming or activities within the agricultural value chain. He explained that even most Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state rely on agriculture, from production to processing.
Radda expressed Katsina State’s commitment to transforming the sector by working closely with NADF and other stakeholders. He noted that agriculture is not just about feeding the population but also about creating jobs and improving the economy. According to him, the state is ready to partner on initiatives that will help farmers scale their work and boost productivity.
In practical terms, the governor announced the commissioning of agricultural mechanization centers across all 34 local government areas in the state. These centers will be equipped with over 400 tractors, more than 1,000 planters, combined harvesters, plows, trailers, and other essential equipment. This initiative, Radda said, aims to make farming more efficient and accessible.
He also revealed that in 2024 alone, the state spent over ₦21 billion to supply more than 400,000 bags of fertilizer to farmers at every polling unit. Other efforts include a baseline survey of all farmers in the state, the establishment of a dedicated Agricultural Development Programme Unit, and the creation of an Irrigation Authority.
Highlighting prospects, Radda expressed confidence in the potential of the Sabke Dam project. Once completed, the dam is expected to irrigate over 1,200 hectares of land, enabling year-round farming, boosting food supply, and creating jobs. He added that the Sabke Dam, originally built over 20 years ago and largely unused, has been selected for a pilot revitalization project. This effort, under the Renewable Infrastructure Fund and in partnership with the NADF and other national agencies, aims to make the dam fully functional and set a model for similar initiatives across the country.
Governor Radda concluded by calling for broader national efforts to harness the country’s agricultural resources. He stressed that with proper investment and collaboration, hunger and poverty can become issues of the past.
