How World Bank boosts agric in Kaduna

Therefore, in addition to government’s efforts to revive agriculture in the country, there have been many local and foreign interventions, not only to boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but also to have a direct positive impact on the citizens. One of such interventions is the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), which is […]

Therefore, in addition to government’s efforts to revive agriculture in the country, there have been many local and foreign interventions, not only to boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but also to have a direct positive impact on the citizens.
One of such interventions is the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), which is a World Bank funded programme in the Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS). The programme is aimed at making agriculture more productive and sustainable through diffusion of innovations in technologies, institutions, processes, organisations and markets.
To ensure appropriate utilisation of funds and effective management of the programme in Kaduna State, WAAPP is partnering with the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Zaria, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Zaria, National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPPRI) Zaria and Kaduna Agricultural Development Programme  (KADP) .
Recently, WAAPP sent a monitoring and evaluation team of three members to Kaduna to supervise its activities in the state. The members included the team leader who is a National and West African Seed Specialist and the seed manager of WAAPP Ebenezer Aje, Dr. Bukola Adepoju of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osun State, and Mr. Titilayo Ogunnusi.
The team leader said they were impressed with the agricultural activities in the state, adding that the successful partnership between WAAPP and agricultural research institutes and other agencies is yielding results.
Executive Director of IAR Professor Ahmed M. Falaki disclosed that demand for seed from other states is enormous but WAAPP’s intervention has greatly improved supply, though late funding is said to have created a gap in production and supply of seed in the current production season. A total of 105.92 ha of Foundation Seeds of maize were said to be under cultivation in various locations with an expected yield of 375.95 MT while a total 10.23 ha of Sorghum were said to be under cultivation, also in various locations with an expected yield of 21.96 MT.
He commended WAAPP, calling for more understanding in the partnership in order to enhance the institute’s activities and boost farming in the North.
At NAERLS, the institution asserted that 80% of the assignment given to them by WAAPP has been accomplished.
The vice chairman of the farmers group in the village Mallam Aminu Zaruwa confirmed that they have gained a lot from the involvement of WAAPP in their agricultural activities, testifying that there is increase in his maize production from 30 bags to 150 bags, cowpea, from 1-2 bags to 15-20 bags and, rice production, from zero to 30-40 bags.
The Executive Director of NAERLS, Ismaila Yunusa Ilu, said the intervention of WAAPP has enabled them to boost agricultural activities in the country at large. He said the World Bank support has given them the opportunity to explore so many areas and provide modern agricultural implements to the farmers.
Meanwhile, NAPRI, which is well known for animal production research and supply of improved breed of white Fulani and Holstein Friesian cattle, said WAAPP relationship with the institute has enhanced the rehabilitation of some of its facilities.
A visit to KADP reveals that their key activities include community seed production, fruity fly technology demonstration and fingerling production. At the Prison farm Centre in Kujama, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna, a Prison Officer Jatau Benjamin attested that he was assisted by the WAAPP programme through the provision of N275, 000 for sorghum and maize farming, 30 bags of fertiliser and 20 litres of herbicides.
A female farmer, MrsRohila S. Makama, also confirmed that she was supported by the programme with N100, 000, 8 litres of herbicides and 15 bags of fertiliser. She planted sorghum 17, sammaz 17 and FARO 44. She testified that she harvested about 200 bags of rice and 5 bags of sorghum.
The fruit fly technology which helps in controlling fly infestation was in use at Intercity Farm Limited in Afaka, Igabi LGA. Fruit flies are known for the damage they cause to mango and citrus trees, leading to flower and fruit abortions and disease infestation.
The technology involves the use of a chemical called Trimediure Dispenser which is placed inside the lid of a perforated container. The chemical attracts insects and finally kills them. Due to the potency of the chemical, frequency change is done on the farm every 4-5 weeks interval. The use of the technology has effectively reduced the population of flies in the mango orchard of the farm.
Abdulkadir Lawal who spoke on behalf of the farm manager affirmed that the performance of the chemical is impressive, adding that it has brought a lot of changes to the farm since inception.
The KADP Programme Manager, Dr. Abdulkadir Kassim, noted that the areas the WAAPP project has decided to intervene in the state are in tandem with the desires and areas which the state government is trying to make positive impact in.
“Kaduna State Government has been trying to see how it would intervene and support the farmers, but the support is not adequate enough because of the population of the farmers,” he said.  
According to him, Kaduna State has over 700,000 farm families while an average farm holding in the state is between 2 hectares to 2.5 hectares for the small scale farmers who constitute over 70% of the farming population of the state.