The Managing Director of the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), Dr. Farouk Ahmad Kurawa, was the special guest on the 5th Edition of the “Modern Farming Practices” live phone-in programme aired on Freedom Radio 99.5 FM Kano on Friday, July 3, 2026.
The programme is designed to educate smallholder farmers, agricultural stakeholders, and the general public on modern farming techniques, government agricultural policies, and practical strategies for improving food production and promoting sustainable agricultural development across Kano State.
During the programme, Dr. Kurawa stated that the primary objective of the initiative is to encourage farmers both men and women to move away from traditional farming methods and embrace modern agricultural practices that enhance productivity, improve efficiency, and increase yields.
At the beginning of the programme, the KNARDA Managing Director warned members of the public against fraudsters impersonating the Authority to collect money from unsuspecting farmers under the guise of facilitating agricultural support programmes.
He emphasized that KNARDA does not collect money from anyone before providing any agricultural intervention or support, urging the public to report such individuals to KNARDA or the nearest security agency.
Dr. Kurawa explained that modern farming differs significantly from traditional farming because it is driven by scientific knowledge, improved technologies, and proper planning.
According to him, key components of modern farming include soil testing and land assessment before cultivation, selecting quality seeds and appropriate fertilizers, planting at the right time to avoid drought or flooding, adopting mixed farming systems, maintaining proper plant spacing, using modern farm machinery and spraying equipment, budgeting production costs from land preparation to harvest, utilizing modern harvesting equipment to reduce post-harvest losses, and accurately measuring farmland to improve farm management and productivity.
Responding to questions from farmers who called into the programme from Nassarawan Doya in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area, where inadequate rainfall has affected farming activities, Dr. Kurawa advised them not to rush into planting in areas experiencing rainfall shortages.
He recommended waiting until rainfall becomes sufficient before planting crops such as sorghum and other rain-fed crops in order to minimize the risk of crop failure and financial losses.
He also advised landowners who entrust others with cultivating their farms to regularly inspect their farms, know the exact size of their farmland, understand the expected production costs, and monitor farming operations from land preparation through harvesting to ensure accountability and avoid exploitation.
On the issue of farm inputs, Dr. Kurawa encouraged farmers to purchase certified, high-quality seeds from reputable seed companies and seek professional guidance on selecting the most suitable varieties.
He further recommended the use of quality fertilizers that have been scientifically tested to ensure maximum crop performance while maintaining soil health.
The Managing Director also encouraged farmers to produce organic manure using locally available agricultural waste materials such as coconut husks, poultry feathers, and citrus peels to improve soil fertility and complement the use of inorganic fertilizers.
During the interactive session, Dr. Kurawa highlighted several ongoing agricultural interventions by the Kano State Government, including the distribution of subsidized fertilizer, programmes targeting women and youth farmers, wet and dry season farming initiatives, agricultural extension services, and climate-smart agricultural practices aimed at increasing productivity and strengthening food security across the state.
At the conclusion of the programme, Dr. Kurawa commended the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for its sustained commitment to agricultural development.
He also appreciated development partners, particularly the World Food Programme (WFP) and Self Help Africa, for their continued support towards advancing agricultural development initiatives in Kano State.
Credit/Context: Bilyaminu Nasiru
Media Unit, Coordinator, Activities and Staff Matters
