Kano Deputy Gov, applauds APPEALS Project for efficiency
By Tijjani Mohammed/:
Kano State Deputy Governor, Dr.Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, has commended the State Coordinating Office of the Agro Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project for targeting 10,000 farmers of Rice,Wheat and Tomato value chains across production, processing and marketing as beneficiaries with the aim of enhancing their productivity.
Gawuna made this assertion on Wednesday during the pre-6th implementation support midterm review of the APPEALS Project and commissioning of Kwanar Dala Wheat Gurasa Processing Cluster as well as Kwanar Ungogo Tomato Market in the metropolis.
The Deputy Governor, who is also the State Chairman of the APPEALS Project Steering Committee pointed out that so far 6,344 farmers that were supported in adopting improved Rice,Tomato and Wheat production and marketing technologies in the State have been recorded.
He highlighted that APPEALS as designed in line with the Agricultural promotion policy of the Federal Government, has also contributed to the Agricultural policy thrusts of the Kano State Government under Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, which is centered on food security, support to local production, job creation, economic diversification and improved revenue generation through agriculture.
Gawuna emphasised that Kano State Government is committed towards supporting local production through provision of improved inputs to achieve increased productivity and marketing of agricultural produce.
He urge the beneficiaries of the Kwanar Dala Wheat Gurasa Processing Cluster and the Kwanar Ungogo Tomato Market to utilise them accordingly.
Speaking earlier, the National Project Manager of the APPEALS, Dr.Salisu Garba, explained that the project which is taking place in 24 states, has achieved alot through offering of technical and financial support to farmers.
In his remarks, the State Project Coordinator of the APPEALS, Mallam Hassan Ibrahim said the purpose of establishing the Wheat Gurasa Processing Cluster at Kwanar Dala in collaboration with the National Incubation Centre is to promote good agronomic practice.
“Under this initiative, we have provided a new oven to produce local gurasa in 8 minutes. The oven is easy to operate, meant to reduce hard labour and enhance hygienic way of processing the delicacy. We have provided the sellers with a mobile van” he said.
He added that they had also provided an evaporating cooling system store alongside 1,000 plastic crates for the tomato sellers at Kwanar Ungogo Market in order to enhance the preservation of tomato for 2 weeks.
The event was attended by staff of APPEALS Coordinating Offices of Cross River, Kogi and Kano States respectively.
