Chief of Staff flanked by members of the delegation.

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Kano state government has concluded plans to begin cargo export of farm produce by the first quarter of 2025 to boost the state’s economy and curb post-harvest the syndrome of post-harvest loss.

Governor  Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed readiness to partner with aviation companies under the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to boost agribusiness through cargo export of perishable farm products from Kano to neighbouring states, African countries and Europe.

Governor  Yusuf hinted at this when he hosted a delegation of cargo management services from the Federal Airport Authority (FAAN) at the Government House on Wednesday.

A statement by the Governor’s spokesperson Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa disclosed that Governor Yusuf who was delighted to collaborate with the cargo transportation of farm produce from Kano believed the initiative would encourage production level.

Yusuf, represented by the chief of staff, Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, said the new development scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025 will reduce post-harvest loss which accounted for over 35 per cent of the total proceed of farm produce in the state.

The Governor assured the aviation industry players that his administration was prepared to advance the new mode of transporting agro-products to neighboring southern states and outside the country which would drastically reduce security and other risk on movement of produce through road transport.

In her remarks, General Manager, General Cargo Service, FAAN, Mrs Alao Mamman Rekiya said the visit to the government intended to seek areas of cooperation and synergy in the introduction of cargo export of farm produce from Kano to states in Nigeria and across the globe.

Rekiya added that the Federal Government’s initiative in the aviation sector was part of an overall renewed agenda on diversification of revenue generation through cargo export.

She emphasized that with the provision of cargo export of vegetables and other perishable products from Kano, the Federal Government is encouraging the farmers to improve on quality production and open up the state for economic viability.

She urged the state government to take advantage of the innovation to create job opportunities in the aviation ecosystem and reduce annual wastage in the agricultural sector.

The team agreed to form an inter-agency committee on the project to explore its potential for the economic prosperity of the commercial state.