Fed Govt seeks more lands for irrigation farming in states

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engineer Joseph Utsev has called on state governments to make available lands for irrigation farming to boost food production.

Speaking in Minna during a tour to the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, Utsev also stressed the. 3ed for state governments to venture into the creation of irrigation facilities to improve agricultural activities and water supply.

According to the Minister, boosting food production is crucial for reviving Nigeria’s economy and creating employment opportunities for its growing population.

“I am calling on state governments to avail irrigable lands to our 12 river basins for irrigation purposes and I am also calling on state governments to also venture into creation of irrigation facilities and invest in irrigation farming.

“This is the only way food production will be boosted in Nigeria and it will revive the economy of Nigeria as it would create jobs for the teeming population of Nigerians.

“We are not relenting, all hands must be on deck to see that the emergency that has been placed on food production must be achieved and it is doable. We are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that that is being achieved,” he said.

The Minister who visited the Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago pointed to the availability of the dams and the potential for partnerships with investors adding that once fully completed, the dam will serve various components, including recreational facilities and agricultural purposes.

The Minister then applauded the collaboration between the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority and the Niger State government in irrigation activities and water supply.

The Niger state governor who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba highlighted the state government’s focus on dams and irrigation in the state adding that the existing dams in the state are being underutilised.

arba called on the federal government to collaborate with the state and acknowledged that the state had underutilised its existing dams calling for more federal government intervention in waterworks and irrigation projects across the state.

The Deputy Governor emphasised the potential of utilising the state’s water bodies to revive the economy urging the Minister to support the state government in achieving this goal.

“Taking cognizance of our water bodies in Niger state, we have four dams but if you look at the utility of these dams apart from the generation of power, you will notice that we do not make up to 30 percent of the prospects we ought to have tapped from these dams,” he said.

The Minister commissioned some projects completed by the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority during his visit.