SAPZ Kano State Programme Implementation Unit

02/04/2026

Press Statement: SAPZ Programme Drives Agricultural Growth in Kano Through Matching Grant Facility (MGF)

Posted on April 2, 2026
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme is playing a central role in advancing agricultural transformation in Kano State, with the introduction of a Matching Grant Facility ( MGF) & Third-Party Procedures, aimed at boosting productivity and strengthening value chains.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Bashir Sanusi, said the MGF is designed to provide targeted support to farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses. He noted that the initiative aims to enhance productivity, expand operations, and improve competitiveness across the agricultural value chain.

Sanusi emphasized that transparency and accountability remain central to the programme, highlighting the introduction of a third-party verification policy to ensure efficient implementation and proper utilization of resources. According to him, the mechanism is critical in guaranteeing that support reaches intended beneficiaries, particularly at the grassroots level. He also commended the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for prioritizing agriculture, citing increased investments, provision of subsidized inputs such as fertilizers, and ongoing efforts to transform the sector into a viable commercial enterprise.

The Permanent Secretary further expressed appreciation to development partners, including IFAD & IsDB, for their collaboration and support toward advancing agricultural initiatives in the state.

In a separate address, the State Programme Coordinator of SAPZ, Aminu A. Iliyasu, ably represented by the State Rural Infrastructural Engineer, Muttaka Uba Zango, described the programme as a strategic initiative of the Federal Government, implemented with support from international partners such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), African Development Bank (AfDB), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).He explained that the SAPZ Programme aims to unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential by developing agro-industrial hubs in high-production areas, strengthening value chains, and boosting both domestic food supply and export capacity.

Iliyasu stated that the Matching Grant Facility is tailored to empower smallholder farmers, small-agro-processors, traders, and service providers by improving access to inputs, modern technologies, and market opportunities. He added that the programme also promotes climate-resilient practices and value addition across key agricultural sectors.

According to him, the initiative is being implemented in Kano and Ogun States, targeting about 100,000 direct beneficiaries. He noted that 50 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, 40 percent youth, while provisions have also been made for persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons.He reiterated that strict procedures have been established for grant application, selection, and disbursement, including the use of dual receipt systems and independent third-party verification processes to ensure compliance with global best practices.

Iliyasu called on stakeholders to actively participate and contribute to the successful implementation of the programme, expressing confidence that it would enhance productivity, improve farmers’ incomes, strengthen food security, and create stronger market linkages across the agricultural sector.

In their separate remarks during the meeting, the implementing partners/ third party verifiers of SAPZ programme in kano, Center for Dry Land Agriculture (CDA) BUK, KNARDA, ICRISAT, CABEX Wudil, pledged to give their maximum support and cooperation in the implementation of the Matching Grant Program to boost the agricultural sector to greater heights.

At the end of the meeting MGF review committee was established and inaugurated by the Permanent Secretary, Ministryof Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Bashir Sanusi.

Rabi Mustapha Sadiq
SAPZ Kano State, Knowledge Management & Communication Officer

10/02/2026

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉

Maryam Salisu, Lamido Kura, Nazeef Ibrahim Ado, Abdulmajid Sani Gwarzo, Sarki Inuwa Kura, Lassdone DC, Sabiu Inuwa Maitama, Ghazali Abdullahi Madabo, M Adam Aminu, Zainura Shehu Sarki

09/02/2026

With AgroNigeria – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

05/02/2026

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Abdullahi Tijjani Barkaji, Alhaji Hafizu Rufa'i Kiru

03/02/2026

SUCCESS STORY OF SA'ADATU SULE UMAR FROM KURA LGA FROM O.5 ECRE OF LAND IN RICE PRODUCTION TO 2 HECTARES AFTER BEING SUPPORTED BY SAPZ PROGRAMME IN KANO UNDER THE FGN/KNSG/IFAD ASSISTED INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, DETAILS BELOW 👇

03/02/2026

SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE MAIDEN EDITION QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER: Isma'il Iliyasu Waķil & Mariya Suleiman SAPZ beneficiaries from Bagwai LGA, Tomato Value Chain Production segment) being supported by the programme under Smallholder farmers from the Farmer Organizations (FOs) supported under support to Climate-Smart Agri-Bussiness production during the FGN/KNSG/IFAD Assisted SAPZ Programme Pilot implementation scheme, before and after SAPZ Programme Implementation support, their successful journey so far (travels opportunities to Dakar by SAPZ Programme which exposed them to improved production technologies), details below 👇

03/02/2026

News feeds: SAPZ Programme Kano SPIU, Nutrition & Gender Mainstreaming Newsletter/ Success stories and Testimonies from pilot implementation scheme and other activities across the intervention programs by the beneficiaries, published in December 2025 by the State Knowledge Management and Communication Unit. Details below 👇

All correspondences should be channels to the editor Rabi Mustapha Sadiq, Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, Facebook Handle Kano State Programme Implementation Unit, Email: [email protected], Hot line 07033333126 or No. 127 Foundation Road, Farm Centre, Kano State.

04/01/2026

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A ONE-DAY JOINT MEDIA SENSITIZATION TRAINING ON BEHAVIORAL CHANGE COMMUNICATION FOR IMPROVED NUTRITION IN KANO STATE

Objectives
To understand SAPZ Programme concept and its development objectives.
To raise awareness among media professionals about the critical role of BCC in improving dietary habits of nutrition.
To equip media partners with accurate and consistent information to champion nutrition issues and effectively communicate key messages to the public
To foster a sustained partnership with media organizations to ensure continuous and widespread coverage of nutrition-sensitive issues.

Resources Persons and Sessions Facilitated
Aminu Ilyasu SPC SAPZ Programme – Welcome Address
Rabi Mustapha Sadiq SKMC – Purpose of the training
Babangida Shehu NKMC – Overview of the SAPZ Programme
Ruqayyah Yusuf Aliyu, PhD, Dept. of Mass Communication, BUK – Technical Session: Understanding the basics of Behaviour Change: Towards Improving Nutrition in Kano State, Group Work and Presentation: Share Compelling, Evidence-Based Stories on BCC for Improve Nutrition
Prof. Ibrahim Shetima, Dept. of Nigerian Languages, Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies, BUK – Technical Session: What to consider while translating SAPZ Programme media content in Hausa Language
Bashir Lawan Baba, Dept. of Planning Ministry of Agriculture Kano State – The Homestead Garden Solution: A define multi-dimentional malnutrition problem
Dtn. Auwalu Musa Umar, Senior Nutrition Officer, Kano State Ministry of Health – Nutrition Education is a Bedrock to Reduce Burden of Malnutrition in Kano State
Amina Ado Yahaya, East West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWSKT) Team lead – Promoting Improved Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles through Bio-fortified Crops and Home Gardening

Participants
Media Practitioners
Health Education from the 8 Local Government Areas
Nutrition Focal Persons from the 8 Local Government Areas
Nutrition Extension Officers from Ministry of Agric
Farmer Organizations

This communiqué is issued at the end of a one-day Joint Media Sensitization Training on Behavioral Change Communication (BCC) for Improved Nutrition, with the theme “from Information to Action: Media’s Role in Driving Nutrition Behavior Change,” organized by the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, Kano State, under the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kano State. The training was held on Wednesday, 31st December 2025, at Chillar Hotel, Conference Hall No. 110, Audu Bako Way, Nassarawa GRA, Kano State.

The training brought together Farmers, Agricultural Extension Workers, Nutrition Focal Persons from 8 LGAs, Health Educators and media practitioners from print, broadcast, and online platforms to strengthen their understanding of behavioral change communication strategies for improved nutrition, particularly within the framework of the SAPZ Project.
Participants were sensitized on the role of the media in promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture, healthy dietary practices, homestead garden solution, public awareness on food and nutrition security in Kano with emphasis on knowledge attitude and practice as well as improved nutrition and healthy lifestyles through Bio-fortified crops and home gardening. Participants were trained on cultivating a diverse plate of food with key vegetables for household gardens, integrating livestock with the aim of providing critical protein for growth and development, integrated pest management and importance of ensuring soil health.

Participants noted the critical role of the media in shaping public attitudes and behaviours towards nutrition, food choices, and agricultural value chains such as rice, tomato, groundnut, and sesame, which are priority value chains under the SAPZ Programme in Kano State and the need for women at home to be sensitized on best dietary practices. Discussions highlighted the need for accurate, consistent, and people-centered nutrition messaging to support government efforts in improving nutrition outcomes.

Key issues identified:
According to UNICEF (2025), 51.9% of children in Kano state are stunted
Rural farmers do not have adequate knowledge on how to plant sesame because they are recording losses particularly in harvesting, storage and processing stages.
Also, Kano faces severe burden of malnutrition with highest record of underweight prevalence in under 5 children reaching 42.6%
Malnutrition affects children’s growth, women’s health and overall productivity of communities and by extension the larger society.
Under nutrition manifest in forms of stunting, underweight, wasting, overweight and micronutrient deficiencies.
Some women engage in monthly savings with money meant to purchase nutritious foodstuffs for the family.
Participants raised an issue on Home Gardening as seedlings do not germinate properly as expected
Another participant lamented on trust issues with regards to how people selling seedlings to farmers are not being sincere when selling it to them, hence selling substandard seedlings to them.

Resolutions:
It is imperative for the media to be proactive in contributing to address the scourge of malnutrition in the state and the country at large.
To tackle issues of nutrition issues, it should start from adolescents’ stage, for an adolescent lady to have iron supplement, so that during menstruation she won’t lose a lot of blood that leads to anaemia and other health issues.
To address severe malnutrition burden in Kano, the situation demands targeted localized solution through engaging households in homestead vegetable gardening which will present a strategic multidimensional opportunity to improve nutrition at its source.
To achieve Behavioral change, there is need for conscious effort and efforts and need to overcome barriers as change through setting goals, monitoring progress and using specific techniques and stages of change like pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation and action record an effect in the change process.
The Media should play their role in BCC towards improving nutrition though awareness & education, advocacy & accountability, community engagement and data-driven reporting.
Committee was inaugurated to champion Behavioral Change Communication for improved Nutrition in Kano State.

The committee will be given resources to effectively discharge their term of reference and a monitoring mechanism will be put in place to track their activities.
Issued in Kano this 31st day of December, 2025.
Compiled by:
Ibrahim Hamisu – Blueprint Newspaper
Mustapha Salisu Yakubu – Prime Time News
Hadiza Yahaya Abubakar – BUKFM

04/01/2026

PressRelease: SAPZ Engages Media To Drive Improved Nutrition, Agricultural Productivity in Kano State

The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme in Kano State has organised a one-day media sensitisation training on Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) for improved nutrition, aimed at strengthening the role of the media in promoting positive nutrition practices across the state.

The joint One-day media sensitisation workshop organised by SAPZ Programme Kano State in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kano State, held on Wednesday 31st December, 2025 in Kano, brought together journaalists and other media practitioners, health educators, nutrition focal persons and smallholder farmers from the 8 LGAs of SAPZ catchment areas and other relevant stakeholders.

The training, theme "From Information to Action: Media's Role in Driving Nutrition Behaviour Change, " was aimed at strengthening participants’ understanding of the SAPZ programme and enhancing their capacity to effectively communicate nutrition-sensitive messages to the public.

It also sought to equip the media with accurate information and promote sustained partnerships for consistent and impactful coverage of nutrition issues in the state, The National Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, Babangida Shehu, gave an overview of SAPZ Programme concept, it's Development Objectives to deepen the participants understanding on the programme initiative.

Speaking at the event, the Knowledge Management and Communication Officer of the SAPZ Kano Programme, Kano State, Hajiya Rabi Mustafa Sadiq, said the training was designed to raise awareness among media professionals on the critical role of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC)in improving dietary habits and nutrition outcomes.
She noted that the programme also aims to provide journalists with accurate and consistent information that would enable them to effectively champion nutrition issues and disseminate key messages to the public.

Hajiya Rabi disclosed that the SAPZ project is currently supporting over 14,000 households in Kano State through nutrition-sensitive interventions, including intercropping activities involving bio-fortified crops such as high iron/zinc rice.

According to her, bio-fortified commodities contain higher levels of essential micronutrients needed by the human body, and their consumption can significantly improve the intake of vitamin A, iron and zinc among project beneficiaries.

“Increased production of these commodities will also enhance the availability of nutritious food for smallholder farming households, thereby contributing to improved household nutrition,” she added.

Delivering a paper titled “Fundamentals of Behaviour Change Communication and Its Role in Improving Nutrition Outcomes in Kano State,” Dr. Ruqayyah Yusuf Aliyu of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano (BUK), underscored the critical role of journalists in influencing dietary behaviour through awareness creation and evidence-based reporting.

She explained that although behaviour change is often challenging, the media can play a pivotal role in shaping attitudes towards balanced diets through deliberate, strategic and sustained communication.

Dr. Ruqayyah described behaviour change as a gradual process that involves modifying actions and mindsets over time through consistent and targeted messaging.

Facilitators at the workshop highlighted the severity of malnutrition in Kano State, citing UNICEF data for 2025, which indicates that 51.9 per cent of children in the state are stunted, while the prevalence of underweight among children under five stands at 42.6 per cent.

They noted that malnutrition has far-reaching consequences, negatively affecting children’s growth and development, women’s health and overall community productivity.
Other challenges identified during the training included inadequate knowledge among rural farmers on best practices for sesame cultivation, resulting in losses during harvesting, storage and processing.

In his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Bashir Sunusi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to achieving food security.
He cited ongoing investments in dam rehabilitation, irrigation facilities, dry-season farming initiatives, as well as the recruitment of 1,038 personnel to strengthen service delivery in the agricultural sector.

The training concluded with a call for proactive media engagement on nutrition issues and the establishment and inauguration of a technical working committee by the Permanent Secretary Kano State Ministry of Health, Alhaji Bashir Aminu to champion Behaviour Change Communication for improved nutrition in Kano State, with monitoring mechanisms established to track its activities.

Rabi Mustapha Sadiq
Knowledge Management and Communication Officer
SAPZ Programme KSPIU

03/01/2026

Newsfeed: Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, Kano State has trained smallholder farmers across the priority value chains of Rice, Tomato and Groundnut on Agricultural Market Information System (AgMIS) to enhance market linkages and have access to online market strategies

Speaking during the 2 day capacity building training, held on 29th to 30th December, 2025 at Blue Sphere Hub, Sharada Road, Kano State, the State Rural Institution and Development Officer (SRIDO), Dr Mujiba Kabir stated the aims of the training was to introduce the value chains farmers of SAPZ Programme on AgMIS software platforms with the view of exporsing them to online marketing strategies and have access to price information in order to upgrade their marketing opportunities to go beyond local and regional boundaries.

On his part the National Rural Institution and Development Officer (NRIDO), Mr Abel Ameh, made presentation on the relevance of AgMIS platform to the participants, adding that the development of the AgMIS software for the beneficiaries of SAPZ Programme was supported by SAPZ/ IFAD Assisted component to enhance global market visibility, facilitate access to market price information and increase income opportunities for the beneficiaries.

During the training the participants were guided through the AgMIS homepage product categories by the training facilitator, Mr Kayode Aigberoadion.

Rabi Mustapha Sadiq
Knowledge Management and Communication Officer
SAPZ Programme KSPIU

29/12/2025

I've just reached 300 followers! Thank you for continuing support. I could never have made it without each and every one of you. 🙏🤗🎉

25/12/2025