Kano Agric Ministry Recovers1,200 Acres Of Farmland Through Rehabilitation Of Irrigation Infrastructure
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Kano State Miinistry of Agriculture and Natural Resources says it has recovered more than 1,200 acres of farmland through the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, as part of its efforts to expand agricultural production and strengthen food security.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the achievements of his Ministry.
Dr. Mahmoud said the recovered 1,200 acres irrigated land were from existing irrigation facilities, adding that the ministry had embarked on additional brand new irrigation site at Dansoshiya with a capacity of 1, 250 acreas and small earth dams and irrigation infrastructure in 11 Local Governments with a combined capacity of 2,400 acres.
On agricultural modernization, the commissioner said the State Government had made arrangements to provide modern farming equipment, including tractors, thrashers, forklifts, combined harvesters, solar-powered irrigation pumps, planters and transplanters.
He said the government, with support from development partners, also planned to provide small and medium-size rice mills to registered farmers’ cooperatives.
According to him, the smaller rice mills would particularly benefit women, while larger facilities would serve major producers.
The commissioner said the equipment would be distributed free of charge to qualified cooperatives, provided they demonstrate transparency, sound management, regular leadership elections and commitment to business principles.
He further disclosed that the ministry had assessed existing irrigation facilities and identified damaged infrastructure requiring rehabilitation at major sites, including the Kadawa Farmers’ Centre, and Bunkure A and B.
According to the commissioner, the interventions which were approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, involved clearing irrigation channels and rehabilitating canals, helping to restore more than 1,200 acres of farmland for agricultural activities.
He added that collaboration with the Nigerian Government and the African Development Bank-funded ATAPS project facilitated the recovery of more than 200 additional acres for irrigation.
He also said the state had embarked on a major irrigation project at Donsoshiya, featuring a dam measuring about two kilometres in length, with an estimated water storage capacity of three billion litres.
Mahmoud said the project is expected to provide irrigation infrastructure for about 500 hectares, equivalent to 1,250 acres of farmland.