Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said Kudan local government area will soon become the hub of grape farming in Nigeria.
The Governor made the promise when he met members of the Grapes Producers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, (NGRAPPMAN), led by its National President, Abdullahi Dalhatu, at the weekend.
He assured grape farmers that the State government will continue to provide seedlings, mechanisation, training, and support services to them in order to improve their yield per hectare.
Governor Sani pledged that Kudan local government area will not only be a grape-farming hub in the country, but that the Kaduna State government will also support businesses around the value-chain. According to reports, the LGA accounts for 85% of the country’s grape production, largely due to its favourable climatic and soil conditions.
Governor Uba Sani thanked the association for promoting Kaduna as a major grape-producing state, assuring members of his Government’s readiness to support the sector. He said that Kaduna State is on track to further increase its grape production, potentially positioning Nigeria among the top 10 grape-producing countries in Africa, with the Government’s continued support.
The Governor added that the State government will create the enabling environment for their businesses to thrive, adding that grape farming will create jobs and other businesses.
Earlier, the NGRAPPMAN president commended the Governor for his agro-friendly policies and programmes, recognising that they have enhanced agriculture, alleviated poverty, and driven economic growth.
