KSADP moves to revamp watari dam to boost irrigation agriculture

The Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of the Watari Irrigation Scheme in order to boost agriculture in the state.

This was revealed by KSADP, that the project is worth over N314 million, and has been awarded to Hajaig Nigeria Ltd.

The irrigation scheme is situated downstream of the Watari dam, in the Bagwai Local Government Area of the state.

State Project Coordinator, Malam Ibrahim Garba Muhammad during the official handing over of the project site to the contractor in charge, informed newsmen on the project’s makeup.

Muhammad revealed that the dam which was constructed over 40 years ago, has the potential to support cultivation of vast hectares of rice, several irrigated crops and vegetables.

He said the dam and its auxiliary infrastructure since existence have not undergone any form of repairs despite its huge potential for agriculture and rural development.

“Besides the renovation of the dam, whose embankment has been eroded and its canals blocked, our project intends to create additional 1, 000 hectares of irrigation land, meaning more people in this locality would be engaged in farming,” he added.

The Project Coordinator further appealed to farmers and other stakeholders in the area to cooperate with the project’s contractor to ensure speedy completion of the work.

KSADP is funded and supported with grants by the Islamic Development Bank and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, to improve crop production and enhance livestock productivity.