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Development Focus
Agriculture
The Agricultural Sector is the second development priority of the current administration and it is not unaware of the dire need for an Agricultural revolution in the region, particularly as an employer of more than 70% of the working population. Katsina State indigenes have a long-standing History of farming and cattle rearing. However, the population boom, cost of commercialization and advancements in modern Agriculture have resulted to the need for increased government financial and technical support. In order to address these issues the State Government swiftly revived Farm Settlement Centers around the State with the aim of providing various educational and technical capacity support in areas of Crop Production, Livestock rearing, fisheries and bee keeping, amongst others.
It is against the above background that the State Government is reviving the agricultural economy of State and has provided the following interventions in the sector, amongst others:
Fertilizer Programmes:
36, 000 metric tones of Fertiliser in 2008 and 2009 farming season were provided with total subsidies amounting to an estimated N2.6 Billion. An Average of more than 10,000 Metric tones distributed to the Local Government Area’s yearly.
More so, inline with the current administration’s efforts to address youth unemployment and revive year-round farming and irrigation systems, the State government established four fertilizer blending plants around the state. Each of the plants has a capacity of 10,000 metric tones per yr. The plants are located in the following LGAs:
Batsari
Safana
Mai’adua
Bakori
GRAINS:
Considering the rudimentary stage of year-round farming in Nigeria and more particularly in the region, the importance of viable and advanced storage facilities remains key to food sustainability. In order to address issues of food scarcity and inflation in prices during the time-lag between farming and dry seasons. The State Government rehabilitated the KATSINA GRAINS SILO and spent Over N300 million on the purchase of over 6,000 tones of grains which was stored and subsequently sold to the public at subsidized rates.
Irrigation:
The potentials of irrigation farming in Nigeria at large are highly underutilized and its economic benefits can improve livelihoods through employment, income generation and food security. The current administration under the leadership of Governor Ibrahim S. Shema has concentrated its efforts in developing the irrigable Land. More so, the State Government sought and was granted permission to conduct rehabilitation works of the Jibia Federal Dam, It is worthy to note that since the construction of the Dam 20 yrs ago, only an estimated 100Ha was being cultivated. However, with the intervention of the current administration, 1500Ha is now being cultivated yearly and efforts this years target to achieve 2000Ha. An estimated total of 11,000Ha is now being cultivated in different locations around the state.
The State Government has also articulated holistic work plans for the systematic rehabilitation and upgrade of other dams. For Instance, the Ruwan Sanyi dam was recently rehabilitated to restore 30Ha of irrigable land. Over N150 million was expended in the purchase of irrigation pumps, repairs and renovations of Kusa and Kusada dam. The State Governments objective is to harness an average of 10,000Ha-20,000Ha of irrigable hand by the 2015
Forestry:
4 million seedlings were raised between 2007 and 2009
74 Ha of fuel wood plantations were developed alongside 340 Ha of woodlots and 6km of shelterbelt.
1.5 million tree seedings were planted across the state in 2008
25 private nurseries were supported by government to raise 75,000 Arabic Gum seedlings
Six hecters of gum Arabic trial plots established in Malumfashi, Katsina and Baure LGAs
Katsina Neem Factory capacity rose from 250mt of Organic Fertiliser to 10,000mt.
Six hecters of Jatropha trial plots in Sandamu, Rimi and Funtua.
