The Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has received representatives of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) over a proposed Date Palm Development Initiative to be piloted in Kano State.
The delegation was formally introduced by the Federal Ministry of Environment as part of efforts to deepen environmental cooperation and promote climate-smart agricultural interventions in northern Nigeria.
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Speaking during the meeting, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahir M. Hashim, said Kano was selected for the pilot phase due to its favourable climatic conditions for date palm cultivation, as well as the fruit’s strong cultural and religious significance in the state.
According to him, the initiative will deploy modern planting techniques and facilitate technical collaboration between experts from Saudi Arabia and professionals in Kano to ensure knowledge exchange and long-term sustainability.
Dr. Hashim, who conveyed the appreciation of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the intervention, described the project as strategic to the state’s broader environmental agenda.
“Date palm trees are central to our afforestation drive, shelterbelt expansion, and wider climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. This is not merely a plantation exercise, but a development initiative with environmental, economic, and social value,” he stated.
He emphasised that beyond increasing green cover, the project has the potential to strengthen livelihoods through value chain development in date production, processing, and marketing. He also urged the KSrelief team to prioritise community inclusion to promote ownership and ensure long-term sustainability of the programme.
Agro Climate News gathered that date palm cultivation is well-suited to Kano’s semi-arid ecology and can contribute to combating desertification, improving soil stability, and enhancing carbon sequestration, while generating income for farmers.
The Kano State Government reiterated its openness to credible partnerships that enhance climate resilience and create economic opportunities for its citizens.
