Kaduna, FAO sign agreement to strengthen tomato production

The Kaduna state government has signed a technical cooperation agreement with the Food And Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to address food security and leverage its potential in agriculture.

In a statement on Thursday, the state government said the project also seeks to support smallholder farmers so as to address hunger and malnutrition and to stimulate an inclusive socio-economic growth in the state. 

The project, titled, ‘Smart Tomato Value Chain Enhancement Through Sustainable Practices for Livelihood Improvement in Kaduna State’, was signed on Thursday at the sir Kashim Ibrahim house in Kaduna.

Speaking at the ceremony, Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, said the state plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s food security, being a top producer of various agricultural products such as ginger, maize, soybean, tomato, and sorghum.

“Agriculture accounts for more than 51 percent  of the state GDP with more than 70 percent  of the over 10 million population, mostly youth engaged in agriculture,” the governor said.

“We are also blessed with favourable climatic conditions that support the production of a vast array of agricultural produce and year-round agricultural activities.

“Kaduna State is one of the leading tomato-producing states in the country. It is our hope that this new partnership will catalyze our rapid progression toward attaining and maintaining the coveted top spot as a major producer in Nigeria and West Africa.”

Sani said the primary source of income for the majority of the people is agriculture.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to food security and sustainable livelihood, disclosing that Kaduna has allocated N74 billion, 9.3 percent of its 2025 budget, to the sector in line with the 2014 Malabo Declaration, which recommends a minimum of 10 percent budgetary allocation to agriculture.

He, however, noted that driving agricultural growth and transformation requires significant investment, which is why the state government embraced the partnership with the FAO to strengthen the tomato production value chain the through sustainable practices.

FAO COMMITS TO PROMOTING AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION IN KADUNA 

In his remarks, Koffy Kouacou, FAO country representative, expressed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening the entire tomato value chain, addressing challenges in production, post-harvest, and strengthening cooperative development.

He said the FAO would focus on improving production techniques to boost yields and quality while also enhancing storage, processing, and infrastructure to minimise post-harvest losses.

Kouacou said the organisation will remain committed to promoting agricultural transformation and sustainable food systems, particularly in Kaduna and the northwest region.

“Kaduna State—and indeed Nigeria—has the capacity to become a powerhouse in agricultural production, value addition, and food security, not only for the nation but for the continent,” the FAO official said.

He said if properly harnessed, Kaduna’s agricultural potential could drive economic growth, food security, and prosperity for the state.

The FAO representative said the signing of the technical cooperation agreement marks the start of a transformative initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving livelihoods, creating jobs, and strengthening economic resilience in Kaduna.