How Kaduna State is Working Towards Food Security

Insecurity has been a major issue in Nigeria for years, especially in the northern states. Banditry, insurgency, and conflicts have taken lives and displaced people. They have also hurt farming, disrupted rural economies, and threatened food supply. Many fertile farmlands have been left abandoned. Farming communities live in fear, and food prices have risen sharply due to lower agricultural output.

These issues are clear. Still, even with insecurity, governance cannot stop. The government’s main job is to ensure the welfare and success of the people. While security is essential now, people also need to farm their land, earn money, and feed their families. Food security is a key part of national security. A hungry society is more likely to face instability than one where people can work and thrive.

Given this situation, Kaduna State is trying to change things. After years of conflict that damaged its reputation and farming ability, Governor Uba Sani is determined to change the story. Even while involved in national politics, his government has made agriculture a key focus, not just a political catchphrase. This deserves recognition.

Politics and governance should work together. Elections may end, but governance continues every day. People judge governments not just by wins at the polls but also by real changes in their lives. Agriculture is one area where people can see these changes directly, especially in a state like Kaduna, known for its agricultural resources and history as a major food-producing area.

Kaduna has always had strong agricultural potential. The Kaduna, Jos, Benue area is one of Nigeria’s key food zones, with agriculture contributing between 43 and 45 percent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product. The state ranks among Nigeria’s top agricultural producers and is one of the largest producers of maize and ginger. Sadly, years of insecurity and internal problems have overshadowed these strengths. Kaduna became known more for conflict than for farming, and violence took over productivity.

Governor Uba Sani’s government seems focused on changing that view by putting agriculture at the center of economic planning. One strong sign of this commitment is the budget. The Malabo Declaration calls for African governments to spend at least 10 percent of public funds on agriculture. Kaduna has been moving towards and has even exceeded that target.

The numbers tell the story. Agriculture got ₦23.40 billion in the 2024 budget. In 2025, the amount jumped to ₦74.02 billion, with almost 98 percent going to capital projects. This shows a focus on investment rather than just running costs. The 2026 budget commitment went over ₦100 billion, about 11.65 percent of the total state budget. The steady increase over three years shows a plan to boost food production and rural development.

Another key point is Kaduna’s leadership in agricultural industrialisation. The state was the first in Nigeria to start the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ). This initiative aims to move farming beyond just production to include processing and value addition. At the launch, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, said this plan could turn agriculture into a high-value sector that attracts investment, creates jobs, and promotes growth.

Supporting the SAPZ is the Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre, being built with help from Afreximbank. This will be the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria. The centre aims to ensure that agricultural products meet both local and international quality standards. In the long run, this helps Kaduna benefit from opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area by making its products more competitive in global markets.

But having budgets and big projects alone does not change agriculture. Their success depends on reaching ordinary farmers. Kaduna is now focusing on smallholder farmers through cooperatives and community projects. Farmers in cooperatives have received machines, like horsepower tillers and solar-powered irrigation pumps, to help them farm year-round. Improved seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and motorised sprayers have also been given to boost productivity.

One of the most innovative ideas is crop risk insurance. Farming faces many uncertainties, like pests and unpredictable weather. Farmers in Nigeria usually bear these losses alone. Kaduna wants to change that by enrolling 100,000 smallholder farmers in a crop insurance scheme to protect them against risks. This insurance helps farmers feel confident to invest and expand their crops.

Under the Tallafin Noma (A Koma Gona) initiative, many farmers have received improved maize seeds, agrochemicals, and free fertilizers. The government has carried out one of the largest fertilizer distribution programs in the country, providing large amounts of fertilizer to smallholder farmers for free. These efforts help increase food supply and manage prices.

Governor Uba Sani believes that mechanisation is key to modern farming. It is hard to argue against this. No economy can truly compete today while using old farming methods. Mechanisation boosts productivity, reduces labor issues, and allows farmers to manage larger areas more efficiently.

The government’s agricultural plans also include livestock farming. Investments in veterinary services, disease surveillance, vaccination programs, dairy production, poultry, and infrastructure show that agriculture is viewed as a connected system rather than separate tasks. Building rural roads that link farming areas to processing centers and markets reduces post-harvest losses and helps farmers earn more.

These successes do not erase the security problems in Kaduna. Many communities still face threats that disrupt farming and livelihoods. Long-lasting agricultural success depends on better security. Still, governance requires that leaders tackle today’s issues while preparing for future opportunities. Waiting for perfect security before investing in agriculture will only increase poverty and worsen food shortages.

Another factor that could help Kaduna's progress is Governor Uba Sani’s style of leadership. His focus on inclusion, dialogue, and engaging stakeholders offers a chance to heal long-standing divisions that complicate governance. Development is more sustainable when citizens feel they belong, no matter their ethnicity, religion, or political views. Inclusive governance builds trust and encourages cooperation, creating stability needed for economic growth.

If this approach continues, the benefits could go beyond just better crop yields. More agricultural success would create jobs, strengthen rural economies, attract private investment, grow agro-processing industries, and improve revenue. Most importantly, it would restore Kaduna’s image as a state of enterprise rather than conflict.

The path ahead is tough. Insecurity still affects farming in Nigeria, and Kaduna is no different. But tough times can reveal strong leadership. By increasing investment in agriculture, supporting smallholder farmers, promoting mechanisation, expanding infrastructure, and encouraging inclusive governance, Governor Uba Sani is building a foundation that could last beyond his time in office.

In the end, success will not just be about budget sizes or programs announced. It will be about whether Kaduna’s farmers can farm safely, whether food becomes more available and affordable, and whether the state can reclaim its historic role as one of Nigeria’s top agricultural areas.

If these plans are carried out consistently and backed by better security, Kaduna could be seen not as a troubled state, but as an example of agricultural change. If that happens, much of the credit will go to Governor Uba Sani for his effective management, smart investments, and inclusion despite many challenges.