The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) has launched the Kadawa Mechanisation Centre in Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State, with a focus on creating employment opportunities for young people and women in agriculture.
The centre, one of three mechanisation hubs established under the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), is expected to not only enhance productivity but also reduce the drudgery of farming. The project is jointly funded by the Kano State Government, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF).
Speaking at the commissioning, IsDB Vice President (Operations), Dr. Rami Ahmad, noted that the initiative is expected to impact the lives of more than three million people across the state. He said the centre forms part of the bank’s broader commitment to improving Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Project Coordinator of KSADP/SAA, Abdulrasheed Hamisu Kofar Mata, explained that the hubs will create direct and indirect jobs, particularly for youth and women in machine operation, maintenance, and agro-processing.
“These hubs are equipped with modern farm machinery such as tractors, power tillers, planters, harvesters, and threshers, supported by trained operators and technicians. This sustainable model is designed to improve efficiency, cut costs, and reduce post-harvest losses, while also opening new avenues for employment,” Kofar Mata stated.
He added that by providing clusters of smallholder farmers with access to mechanised services, the hubs would encourage young people to see agriculture as a viable career path.
Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmood, expressed optimism that the initiative would boost crop production, value addition, and livestock productivity in the years ahead.
“With these hubs, we expect to see lasting changes in irrigation, crop resilience, and overall agricultural output. The employment opportunities created, especially for women and youth, will help transform the rural economy and sustain food systems in the state,” Mahmood said.
The mechanisation hubs in Garun Malam, Danbatta, and Gaya are scheduled to operate as service centres for different agricultural zones in Kano, with services ranging from land preparation to storage. The initiative is part of the extended five-year KSADP project, now set to conclude in December 2025.
