The Kano State Government has announced plans to work with aviation companies under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to facilitate the export of perishable produce to neighboring states, African countries, and Europe.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during a meeting with a delegation from FAAN’s cargo management services on Wednesday, said the initiative is expected to start in the first quarter of 2025.
In a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Yusuf, represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, said the partnership would address post-harvest losses, which account for over 35% of produce.
“This initiative will drastically reduce security and other risks associated with road transport while promoting a safer, faster mode of transporting agro-products,” the statement noted.
The Governor also said his administration would support the project to facilitate the movement of farm produce from Kano to southern Nigeria and international markets.
Mrs. Alao Mamman Rekiya, General Manager of General Cargo Services at FAAN, outlined the economic opportunities offered by the project.
“The Federal Government’s initiative in the aviation sector is part of its renewed agenda to diversify revenue generation through cargo export. This will encourage farmers to improve production quality and make Kano an economic hub,” she explained.
She also called on the state government to use the initiative to create jobs within the aviation sector and address annual post-harvest losses.
To move the project forward, the two parties agreed to form an inter-agency committee to explore its full potential for Kano’s economy.
