The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has officially kicked off a significant training program for 1,000 youths, focusing on transforming rice straw into valuable livestock feed.
This innovative initiative, funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, aims to create new jobs and income streams for young people, primarily those from the state's vibrant rice-producing communities.
The training, which began on Thursday at the Audu Bako College of Agriculture in Dambatta, was announced by KSADP State Project Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, as confirmed by Ameen Yassar, the Project Communication Specialist.
Muhammad highlighted the multifaceted benefits of the program. "This training on rice straw utilization is crucial for promoting sustainable agriculture and creating economic opportunities," he stated.
He emphasized that by teaching youth to use rice straw for purposes like composting and livestock feed, instead of burning it, the project will significantly reduce environmental pollution while boosting income for beneficiaries.
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Beyond the immediate economic and environmental gains, the initiative also seeks to foster better relations between farmers and herdsmen.
Muhammad noted that an increased local supply of livestock feed from rice fields would lessen the need for pastoralists to move extensively, potentially mitigating security challenges sometimes associated with such movements.
"Rice production in Kano is on the rise, but the utilization of rice straw has been minimal, with most farmers either burning it or using it for roofing," the Coordinator explained. He pointed out that rice straw, when treated with urea, can be a highly effective feed, leading to substantial weight gains in livestock.
Looking ahead, KSADP plans to establish 200 production hubs strategically located around irrigation schemes. Each hub will support groups of five youths with grants or credit for the necessary machinery, materials, and transportation to produce and sell urea-treated rice straw feed.
"We've already acquired the machines," Muhammad added. "During the harvest season, each group is expected to produce and sell 500 metric tonnes of the feed, greatly increasing the availability of crop residue for livestock in the State."
Professor Muhammad Wailare, Provost of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, expressed his institution's pleasure in co-organizing the training. He assured that the participants would gain exposure to simple yet effective technologies for rice straw utilization, ultimately leading to income generation, sustainable agricultural practices, and a cleaner environment.
