The Kano State Government has employed 729 extension workers to assist farmers to improve agricultural production in the state.

Prof. Mahmud Daneji, Managing Director, Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), disclosed this in Kano on Sunday, December 20 in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Daneji said the government had also distributed 400 motorcycles to extension workers to solve their transportation problems.

According to him, the motorcycles have been distributed to both male and female extension workers to enable them reach out to farmers, particularly those living in rural areas.“Agriculture is the mainstay of economic activities and the major employer of labour in the state, hence the decision of the present administration to make the sector its focal area of priority investment,” he said.

He said the government’s priority to agriculture was informed by the need to embrace farming, in view of the fall in the price of oil at the international market.“Agriculture is also given priority in view of the need to ensure food security in the state and the country,” he added.