The Kura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State, Sabuwar Gainawa community, known for its agricultural productivity, has endured over two decades without electricity.
Despite being home to over 140,000 residents and producing staple crops like maize, rice, and vegetables for local and national markets, the community remains without power, hampering its economic growth and agricultural potential.
Established in 2001 by then-Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as a resettlement area for flood victims, Sabuwar Gainawa has faced numerous challenges, including high crime rates.
However, the lack of electricity stands out as the most pressing issue, affecting livelihoods and limiting opportunities for progress. Farmers, traders, and poultry operators have borne the brunt of this power shortage, with many incurring high operational costs to compensate for the absence of electricity.
One farmer, Yahaya Abdullahi, lamented the financial and personal risks he faces due to the lack of electricity. He explained how he must travel 25 kilometers to Kumbotso to grind his harvested grains, incurring high costs and risking theft along the way.
Grinding a single bag of maize costs him ₦15,000, with additional transportation expenses of ₦1,000 to ₦1,200 per trip. This significantly cuts into his profit margins, with nearly 30% of his income consumed by grinding and transportation expenses.
Poultry farmers face similar struggles, Muhammad Adam, who relies on a generator to power lighting and water pumps for his poultry farm, spends ₦12,000 on fuel every four days, amounting to about ₦86,000 monthly. This cost consumes around 30% of his revenue from egg sales, leaving little room for profit or expansion.
The lack of power also fosters insecurity, as darkness provides cover for theft. Adam recounted losing 23 birds worth over ₦115,000 to thieves, a loss that further strained his operations.
The absence of electricity has also had a profound impact on onion farmers and traders in nearby Gundutse Market. Farmers struggle with preserving their produce due to the lack of facilities like fans or air-conditioned storage units. Onions begin to spoil within two days, leading to significant losses.
However, farmers who use petrol-powered irrigation systems spend at least ₦60,000 monthly on fuel, driving many into debt and threatening their ability to continue farming.
The community has made efforts to address the electricity crisis, raising ₦470,000 between 2019 and 2020 to purchase materials for electrification. However, the project’s overwhelming costs led to its abandonment, and the funds were refunded.
The Sabuwar Gainawa Community Development Group also approached the Kano State Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and the Rural Electrification Board (REA) but achieved little progress.
Responding to inquiries, Sani Danbatta, Managing Director of the Kano Rural Electrification Board, noted that Sabuwar Gainawa meets the criteria for electrification and could benefit from upcoming state projects.
He revealed plans to expand access to electricity through the procurement of 500 transformers and collaborations with private developers on mini-solar projects.
While waiting for grid connection, some progress has been made. In 2023, the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) constructed a solar-powered aerated onion storage facility in the area.
This facility has helped reduce post-harvest losses for a small group of farmers by extending the shelf life of harvested onions. However, its limited capacity means most farmers cannot benefit from the initiative.
Community members unanimously believe that electricity is the key to unlocking Sabuwar Gainawa’s agricultural and economic potential. It would enable irrigation, grain processing, and vegetable storage while reducing crime rates.
Maize farmer Abdullahi summarized their plight, saying, “We don’t need much, just electricity. With power, we can irrigate our farms, grind our grains, and store our vegetables. Our leaders should understand that everything depends on power.”