People With Disabilities (PWDs) in Tudun wada local government area of Kano, have commended the Kano Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), and the Sassakawa Africa Association (SAA) for inncluding them in commercial agriculture in Kano.
The Chairman of People With Disabilities Maize Farmers Association in the area, Mr Khalifa Muhammed made the commendation in an interview with news men during the SAA’s media tour on Tuesday.
He said that some months ago, he was on a wheel chair and begging on the street when someone approached and asked if he would be interested in farming.
“I told him instantly that I am crippled how can I farm? And he answered that he only wanted to know if I am interested.
“After indicating my interest, he took me to a place and began to teach me about seeds, soil and I started to develop more interest.”
He explained that the person, a representative of Sassakawa and an agricultural extension worker, continued to monitor and provide more farming skills to him.
Mr Muhammed revealed that on successful harvest and having received series of agricultural training from SAA in Kano City, he mobilised and introduced other people with disability to farming.
“That is how we have formed our association and we have been receiving so much support and a huge turn out that we no longer beg.
“In fact I can challenge that there are no more street beggars amongst people with disability in Tudun wada local government area because we have ventured into commercial agriculture. “
He added that PWDs in the area have found a heaven in farming, when they were taken off the street as beggars and empowered into commercial farming.
He however appealed to the SAA and the KSADP, to expand their capacity in order to boost their commercial agricultural capacity for more PWDs to benefit.
It was gathered that the KSADP is a five year project of Kano government with support from Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), through the Lives and Livelihood Fund.
The five year project launched in 2021, is aimed at boosting the capacity of farmers and improving commercial agriculture in Kano state.
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