The Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has inaugurated Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Programme (KSADP), a N36 billion flagship project designed to contribute to poverty alleviation and strengthen food security in the state.
The project is being financed as a partnership between Islamic Development Bank, the Life and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) and other organisations providing concessional financing, while the counterpart fund of $5 million (N1.8 billion) will be paid by the state government.
Ruga is a Fulani word for human settlement and can also be interpreted as an acronym of “rural grazing area”. The policy was developed by the National Livestock Transformation Plan under the Nigeria Economy Council to curb the conflict between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.
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The policy was suspended nationally and the implementation was reduced to state level because southern states and some religious bodies protested against it while northern states including Kano embraced it.
Speaking during the inauguration of the project at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano, Ganduje said that the state would ensure the timely release of its counterpart funds to facilitate the smooth implementation of the project.
He added that it is time to change the old system of cattle rearing which is more cultural than economic by improving the capacity of herdsmen to produce and process more milk and pave way for quality beef production.
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In his remarks, Regional Manager of the Islamic Development Bank, Mr Mayoro Niang, stated that the project was in alignment with the bank’s five-year plan and the Federal Government’s Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Meanwhile, representative of the Lives and Livelihood Funds, Mr. Jena Jacques said his organisation, a partner of the Islamic Bank, is glad to work with the state government to make a positive impact on the lives of the poor masses.
