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Katsina Songhai Initiative

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Katsina Songhai Initiative

The State has entered into an agreement with Songhai Farms (Benin Republic) to establish three centres at Zobe dam, Sabke dam and Mairuwa dam.  These centres will develop 15,000ha for the production of various crops, food process and animal husbandry.  The centres will also serve for training of youth in modern farming techniques. The Zobe Dam Centre has already been established.

Table 3       Baseline production and price indices of some selected agricultural commodities in Katsina State (One US$ = N160.00)

S/N Type of Commodity PRODUCTION PER HECTARE (TON/Ha) AVERAGE PRICE (N/TON)
Rain-fed Irrigation
1. Maize 2.50 1.50 55,000.00
2. Sorghum 2.00 – 50,000.00
3. Millet 1.50 – 51,900.00
4. Wheat – 3.50 95,000.00
5. Rice (un-diluted) 2.50 1.00 120,000.00
6. Beans (cowpeas) 0.85 1.20 83,400.00
7. Soya beans 0.85 1.20 65,000.00
8. Groundnut (peanut) 5.00 5.00 120,000.00
9. Sesame 7.50 7.50 165,000.00
10. Sweet potatoes 25.00 25.00 80,000.00
11. Irish Potatoes 20.00 25.00 90,000.00
12. Fresh Tomatoes 20.00 25.00 135,000.00
13. Fresh Pepper 8.00 15.00 270,000.00
14. Onion 15.00 25.00 285,000.00
15. Green Vegetables 6.50 8.00 250,000.00
16. Cotton 5.00 – 90,000.00
17. Legume Fodders 5.00 10.00 45,000.00
18. Grass Fodders 7.00 14.00 35,000.00

Proposed Projects for Investment

The main goal of the Government of Katsina State is to harness the vast agricultural potential residing in the State, ensure food security for the people and lay a solid foundation for rapid industrialization and economic transformation of the State. The Government is therefore pursuing every opportunity to promote and support establishment of Projects that can diversify economic activities and open more avenues for employment in the State for the betterment of its people.  The Government has particular interest in agro-allied enterprises with priority focus on Projects such as:

Commercial Crop Production for Domestic and Export Markets

Establishment of large scale production farms with focus on crops such as Maize, Sorghum, Beans, Soybeans, Potatoes, Sunflower, Sesame, Tomatoes, Pepper, Onion, Garlic, Wheat and Rice, etc.

Commercial Livestock Production for Domestic and Export Markets

  1. Sheep breeding and multiplication ranch for production of feeders;
  2. Goat breeding and multiplication ranch for production of feeders;
  3. Fodder crop production and conservation farms for commerce;
  4. Sheep/Goat finishing feed lots for meat processing factories.

Development of Orchard Plantation Estates

Establishment of large scale fruit production farms involving introduction of improved seeds/varieties of enhanced quality and standard with focus on Citrus, Mango, Guava, Cashew, Papaya (Pawpaw) and Date Palm.

Value-addition, Processing and Packaging Factories

  1. Tomato handling factories – cold chain bulk storage and preservation processing/value addition and production of Tomato Puree;
  2. Oil extraction industries focusing on Sunflower, Sesame and Soy beans;
  3. Fruit extraction/beverage production and industries;
  4. Meat processing and packaging industries;
  5. Hides/Skin tanneries and related technologies.

Marketing and Provision of Agro-allied Services

  1. Produce marketing and export services;
  2. Manufacturing/Procurement of agricultural machinery, equipment, tools and spares;
  3. Production/Dealership of inputs of production;
  4. Linkages to technical service providers.

Projects Institutional Arrangement

Katsina State is an ideal place for agro-allied business enterprises with good enabling environment for growth. There are close to 50,000 hectares presently amenable to irrigation with possibility of cultivation of crops year round (See Table 2).

There are also 106,000 hectares of virgin forest areas in the State (See Table 4).  The State Government will be prepared to release these areas for agricultural development.

There are three possible institutional arrangements according to which Projects proposed above may be fashioned and managed.  The proprietorship of the Projects may take either of the following:

  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
  • Public Private Partnership (PPP)
  • Contract/Out-grower Mobilization and Support.

Irrespective of whichever partnership is adopted, the Government will give full support to investors in all aspect of agro-allied businesses in the State.  The land policy in the State is liberal and flexible.  Government will facilitate acquisition and undertake development of social and public service infrastructures.  The latter includes developing access roads, domestic water supply, power supply and general security measures to safeguard the investments.

TABLE 4     Sample reserved forest areas in Katsina State 

S/N Forest Reserve Water Availability Remarks
1. Yan-tumaki 80,653 Zobe Dam Located about 6 Km away
2. Zobe/Makera CFA 1,170 Zobe Dam Located adjacent to dam, some rudiments of irrigation taking place in small portion
3. Tsabu/Dan-haji 8,492 Sabke Dam Located about 5 Km away from the dam
4. Kaya 6,326 Daberam Dam Located about4 Km away from the dam
5. Kwankiro 6,089 Mai-ruwa Dam Located about 18 Km from the dam
6. Gangara 3,210 Gangara Dam Located about 4 Km away from the dam

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