Farmers in Bagwai, Kano State, are embracing a new rice variety that is changing both how they earn and what they eat.
At a recent field day, many farmers saw firsthand how zinc-enriched rice is not only performing well on their farms but also offering a new business opportunity through seed production and sales.
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The initiative, led by the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano, in partnership with HarvestPlus, is helping farmers move beyond traditional rice farming into a more profitable and nutrition-focused system.
Standing on the demonstration farm, farmers closely observed the crop’s strong growth, healthy appearance, and promising yield as it approached maturity.
Speaking at the event, CDA Director, Professor Sanusi Gaya Mohammed, said the goal is to directly improve farmers’ lives while addressing hidden hunger.
“This is more than just another rice variety,” he said.
“It gives farmers a chance to earn more while also producing food that improves the health of their families and communities.”
He explained that zinc is essential for human development, especially for children and mothers, and that many households unknowingly suffer from its deficiency.
“With this rice, farmers are not only feeding people, they are nourishing them,” he added.
“At the same time, they can go into seed production and create a reliable source of income.”
Beyond nutrition, the project is opening doors to structured markets. Farmers are being linked to seed companies that are already showing interest in buying and multiplying the improved seeds.
Dr. Abdulwahab Saliu Shaibu said access to quality seeds has long been a challenge, but this initiative is changing that by bringing seed production closer to farmers.
He noted that the Bagwai fields are already attracting attention from seed companies in Kano and Kaduna, creating real commercial value for the crop.
HarvestPlus representative, Abdullahi Adam Idris, said biofortified crops like zinc rice offer a simple solution to a widespread problem.
He explained that many families lack key nutrients such as zinc, iron, and vitamin A, and that improving the nutritional value of everyday foods is one of the easiest ways to address it.
Farmers at the event did not hide their excitement. Many described the crop as easy to grow, fast developing, and full of promise.
Several pledged to adopt the variety and go into seed production, seeing it as a pathway to better income and improved living standards.
For communities like Bagwai, the message is clear: this is not just about growing rice—it is about growing healthier families and stronger rural economies.
