News in Brief:
– The Bauchi State government has initiated the Irrigate Nigeria Project to boost agricultural productivity and food security through expanded land use.
– This public-private partnership aims to empower local farmers, particularly youth and women, by enabling year-round farming and driving economic growth.
The Bauchi State government has commenced the Irrigate Nigeria Project, a large-scale agricultural initiative designed to transform farming practices within the region.
This project, aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focuses on improving food availability and security through advanced irrigation techniques and year-round cultivation.
Massive land allocation for agricultural development
During the event, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed disclosed that the project will utilise 30,000 hectares of land in Udubo, located in the Gamawa Local Government Area, for annual harvests.
Additionally, he mentioned that the state has designated 50,000 hectares in the Toro Local Government Area for diverse agricultural endeavours, demonstrating a significant commitment to expanding farming capacity.
Focus on youth and women empowerment
Specifically, a key objective of the Irrigate Nigeria Project is to empower young people and women by providing them with opportunities in all-season agricultural activities.
Expectedly, the initiative seeks to modernise agriculture in Bauchi State, driving economic growth and enhancing food security for both local farmers and the broader Nigerian population.
Public-private partnership and foreign investment
This initiative operates as a public-private partnership, incorporating foreign investment to ensure its long-term success. It aims to unlock Nigeria’s extensive arable land through advanced irrigation systems and provide market-driven support for sustainable agricultural development.
The launch event was attended by prominent figures, including Zacheus Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and Dr Dahiru Mohammed, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Infrastructure Engineering.
Overall, the Bauchi State government pledged to maintain the project’s sustainability, aiming to attract wider participation across the state and maximise its impact on the local economy and food security.
