Governor Yusuf issuing the cheque to one of the beneficiaries

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Kano state   Governor, Engr.  Abba Yusuf has urged communities who benefitted from Kano Agro-climatic Resilence Landscape. (ACreSAL) to invest the funds in commercial agriculture that will ensure massive food production for the benefit of the state economy and fight against hunger and poverty.

Our Correspondent reports that selected 10 agrarian communities in Kano received a cheque of $25, 000 each for the empowerment programme held at Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, on Thursday.

ACreSAL organized the empowerment scheme in collaboration with the World Bank.

The Community Revolving Fund  (CRF) is designed to fight poverty and hunger in rural communities.

Governor Yusuf who distributed the cheques to beneficiaries, advised them to judiciously use the fund as capital for large-scale agricultural ventures that will increase food production in the state.

According to him,  in addition to the community revolving fund, the Kano State Government has made significant efforts to combat desertification by recovering land and planting over three million trees across the state.

The state Commissioner of Environment, Dr Dahir Muhammad Hashim, who doubles as the state Coordinator of ACreSAL,  noted that the CRF is a groundbreaking project, adding that Kano State is honoured to be at the forefront of the endeavour with support from the World Bank.

“Through this programme, we are providing direct financial support to 30 registered Community Interest Groups (CIGs) and farmer cooperatives to invest in climate-smart agriculture that will increase food security, improve livelihoods, and build resilience against environmental challenges.

” The selection of the 10 beneficiary communities of Chiranchi, Diso, Kofar Naisa, Galadanchi, Gwale, Kwankwaso, Garo, Sarigirin, Gobirawa, and Dala—was guided by strict criteria to ensure that the funds go to those who are ready and willing to embrace sustainable agricultural practices.

“Under this initiative, we have also established strong governance structures to ensure accountability, transparency, and sustainability. The creation of the Community Revolving Fund Management Committees (CRFMCs), Community Business Agents (CBAs), and Boards of Trustees (BoTs) is a strategy to ensure community ownership and long-term sustainability of this fund.

” Beyond today’s CRF disbursement, the ACReSAL Project has made remarkable progress in addressing land degradation, afforestation, and flooding across Kano State. Under this project and with the support of His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, we have planted 3 million trees in rural and urban Kano, rehabilitated 106 Kilometers of shelterbelt, restored 24,865Ha of degraded land, established woodlot plantations and individual orchards for more than 1,200 farmers, rehabilitated and equipped 2 nurseries with a combined capacity to produce 1,000,000 seedlings per year.

“In addition, we have constructed 50 No. Solar-powered boreholes in various water-stressed communities such as Kyallin Bula, Danya, and many others. We have renovated and solarized the Soil and Water Laboratory at Northwest University and provided livelihood support packages to the Falgore Game Reserve Communities. These efforts reinforce our commitment to climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment,” he said.