F.G Hands Over 228 Hectares Irrigation Project To Jigawa, Kano Farmers

About 228 hectares of Gari Irrigation Project have been handed over by the federal government to farmers in Jigawa and Kano states.

Five Local Government Areas of Kazaure and Roni in Jigawa State, and Kunchi, Dambata and Makoda LGAs in Kano State, under the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority are benefiting.

The handing over was done by Mrs Oyeronke Oluniyi, Director, Irrigation and Drainage, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, on behalf of the Minister, Mr Suleiman Adamu.

In a statement made available in Abuja on Thursday, Oluniyi said the project was part of efforts to support Government’s food security and employment creation target.

She noted that the irrigation projects, delivered to the farmers in parts was in its sixth phase, following government’s decision to complete all projects sectorally for maximum benefits.

She said the ministry, through her mandate in irrigated agriculture had aligned with the present Administration’s vision to diversify the nation’s economy and lift many people out of poverty before 2030.

She said the ministry had engaged the services of an Interface Consultant to establish and strengthen Water Users Association (WUAs), for effective operation and maintenance of the irrigation system.

According to her, farmers’ associations and the River Basin Development Authority are being trained on effective irrigation systems, and modern agricultural best practices.

“The concept of the interface consultancy is to promote Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) by empowering the farmer’s community around the project.

“It is also for the farmers to assume responsibility for ownership of the irrigation and drainage systems around their farm plots, including financial and administrative accountability among others.’’

She commended the contribution of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority towards the performance of the management transfer process from Government-controlled to farmer-managed.

The director however urged the RBDAs to ensure that farmers and their associations took their new responsibilities with steady grip, by ensuring that canals, drains, roads, culverts work effectively.