Adamu Toro: How Kaduna is being repositioned as Nigeria’s biggest agricultural hub
For years, Kaduna was associated with insecurity. Villages were abandoned, schools were shut, farms became inaccessible and rural economies were strangled by banditry and terrorism. Farmers who dared to venture into their fields sometimes had to pay levies to criminal gangs simply for the right to cultivate their own land. That reality was not only […] Adamu Toro: How Kaduna is being repositioned…
Kaduna, once synonymous with insecurity and agricultural hardship, is rapidly transforming into Nigeria's premier agricultural hub. Under Governor Uba Sani's leadership, the state has prioritized security and agriculture in a cohesive strategy known as the Kaduna Peace Model. This approach has successfully reclaimed more than 500,000 hectares of previously abandoned land, reestablished over 100 schools and healthcare facilities, and reignited rural economies.
In contrast to mere security restoration, Kaduna's plan seeks to convert peace into economic prosperity. Agricultural investment has surged from N1.48 billion in 2023 to N108.38 billion in 2026, with a significant portion allocated to capital projects like irrigation, mechanization, storage, and value-chain infrastructure. The state is investing in productive capacity rather than just administrative spending.
Governor Sani's administration has gone beyond mere fertiliser distribution, providing free fertiliser and tractors to 150,000 smallholder farmers in 2026. This political choice addresses input costs that previously excluded poor farmers from production. Mechanisation is also advancing, with tractors, power tillers, harvesters, and boom sprayers becoming increasingly common.
The administration's vision extends beyond food production to retaining value within the state. By focusing on processing and value-added agriculture, Kaduna aims to create wealth and employment locally. The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, developed in partnership with a major player, underscores this commitment to building a robust agricultural ecosystem.
The transformation of Kaduna from an insecure landscape to an agricultural powerhouse represents a comprehensive strategy that addresses both security and agricultural development, with the potential to redefine Nigeria's rural economy.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Post Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
