KSADP Awards N162m Contracts For Crop Residue Chopping Machines And Materials

By our reporter

Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, KSADP, has awarded two contracts totalling N162, 205, 000, for supply of chopping machines and materials for crop residues utilization.

While a contract worth N86,389, 800, was awarded for the supply of 200 crop residue chopping machines, a separate one in the sum of N75, 815, 200 was awarded for the supply of assorted crop residue utilization materials. 

Crop residues are ‘farm wastes’ that become available as livestock feeds after crops have been harvested. These residues include stalks, straw, leaves and seed pods. They are distinct from agricultural by-products which are generated when crops are processed.

In a press release signed by the Communication Specialist of the project Aminu Yassar, said that shortly after signing the contract, The State Project Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad stated that "the idea behind this intervention is to use resources available within farms to create jobs and enhance agricultural productivity."

“For instance, you see that rice and wheat production in Kano is increasing but the utilization of straw from these products is still minimal, with most farmers burning them to prepare the land for dry season farming. This has implications on soil health and loss of organic carbon causes global warming”, he said.

 

“So, we will identify 1,000 unemployed youth, group them into 200 production hubs around irrigation schemes and support each group with the chopping machines and materials, so that they can produce and sell the crop residues for profit”, he explained.

“In essence, engaging the youths in this activity aims to maximize use of agricultural resources, improve livestock productivity and increase income generation in our rural communities,” The statement added.

"The crop residue utilization initiative would consolidate the KSADP’s intended cattle fattening, small ruminant fattening and small ruminant reproduction schemes, which are expected to create employment opportunity for about 4, 000 women and youth," said the Project Coordinator.