Official: Kastina To Use Irrigation For Food Security, Job Creation

The Managing Director, Katsina State Irrigation Development Authority, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman-Nasir, communicated this while briefing newsmen on the mandate of the newly created authority in Katsina.

He said that the authority was created in October 2023 to improve dry season farming and increase agricultural productivity.

According to Mamman-Nasir, the government will use irrigation to touch lives of all and sundry as 95 per cent of the population is farmers.

He stressed that the government would collect data from all stakeholders in order to enhance their operation and serve the farmers better.

“As from next week, we will meet with all stakeholders in irrigation circle like the local government chairmen, irrigation farmers, traditional institutions, youths and women groups, among others.”

The managing director said that the authority would also visit irrigation sites to assess their functionality or otherwise, with a view to making them efficient.

The managing director said that the government would sink tube wells where necessary to ensure enough water for irrigation in the state.

He said that they would give more emphasis to extension services to strengthen the capacity of the farmers for enhanced productivity.

Mamman-Nasir said that the government would provide farmers with adequate information about water usage to minimise loss as a result of inadequate water.

He stressed that such activities would assist to create jobs to people and prevent youth from rural-urban migration.

Mamman-Nasir added that the move would also go a long way to reduce the insecurity challenge bedeviling the state and parts of the country.

“Insecurity itself is a product of food security; if there is food security, there will be less or no criminal activities.

“We are even inviting those in the bush to come and key into the new irrigation project introduced by the government,”he said.

He urged the media to intensify efforts in enlightening the public on the importance of embracing irrigation farming as a means of livelihood.