Bauchi: FG targets increased income for farmers, as NASENI kicks off Irrigate Nigeria Project
…Bala Mohammed applauds Tinubu on good governance
The Federal Government has set its sights on boosting farmers’ incomes in Bauchi State and across Nigeria with the launch of the Irrigate Nigeria Project, an initiative spearheaded by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, stated that the project is designed to significantly increase farmers’ income nationwide.
The initiative, which was formally launched at the weekend in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, aims to transform the agricultural sector through sustainable irrigation systems.
According to Halilu, improved irrigation enables farmers to increase the number of farming cycles per year, ultimately leading to higher earnings. He explained that this initiative will allow farmers to cultivate crops throughout the dry season, thereby boosting their productivity and income.
Speaking at the launch event in Gamawa, Bauchi State, he emphasised that the project is a vital component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is focused on revolutionising agriculture across the country.
The Irrigate Nigeria programme is being jointly implemented by NASENI and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), with strong private sector participation at its core. The project aligns with the administration’s commitment to empowering Nigeria’s private sector while supporting farmers in expanding agricultural production.
The government, through this initiative, aims to equip farmers with sustainable irrigation systems, ensuring that they can farm year-round rather than relying solely on seasonal rainfall. This transformation is expected to increase food production, enhance national food security, and contribute to stabilising food prices.
The pilot phase of Irrigate Nigeria has commenced on a 10-hectare site in Gamawa under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework designed for large-scale farming. Halilu highlighted that the project’s sustainability rests on several key components, including the deployment of NASENI’s centralised irrigation systems to support farming clusters in participating communities.
He explained that this infrastructure would enable farmers to have consistent access to water for their crops, thereby mitigating the challenges posed by erratic rainfall and climate change.
Another major aspect of the programme is the provision of enhanced agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, fertilisers, and technical support for farmers. These inputs will complement the irrigation infrastructure, ensuring that farmers have the necessary resources to maximise their yields.
Halilu also emphasised the commercial viability of the project, explaining that it has been structured in a way that ensures long-term sustainability without imposing excessive financial burdens on participating farmers. The project is designed to be self-sustaining and profitable while ensuring affordability and accessibility for smallholder farmers.
A unique feature of the Irrigate Nigeria Project is the flexible repayment system for farmers benefiting from the initiative. Rather than making direct financial payments for the irrigation support and agricultural inputs they receive, farmers will repay in the form of portions of their harvests, such as rice paddy.
These repayments will be pooled into a strategic food reserve, which will help stabilise commodity prices and ensure food availability during periods of scarcity. The collected harvests will also be made available for institutional sales and exports, creating additional revenue streams for the agricultural sector and further boosting Nigeria’s economic development.
According to Halilu, the overarching goal of the Irrigate Nigeria Project is to enable Nigerian farmers to cultivate crops throughout the year, regardless of rainfall patterns, while also improving both the quantity and quality of their produce. This, he stated, will not only increase farmers’ earnings but also contribute to food security and economic stability across the country.
The Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, expressed gratitude for the selection of Gamawa as the first location for the nationwide initiative. He described the launch of Irrigate Nigeria as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to support farmers and enhance agricultural productivity.
The governor praised the initiative as a true reflection of good governance, stating that it demonstrates the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for economic growth and development.
Governor Mohammed stressed that Irrigate Nigeria is more than just an agricultural initiative—it represents a strategic move towards food security, economic empowerment, and national stability.
He noted that the programme aligns with Bauchi State’s broader goals of expanding irrigation farming, reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture, and promoting sustainable agricultural infrastructure. He further described the initiative as a model for agricultural excellence that has the potential to drive long-term growth in the sector.
The governor also pointed out that if implemented as designed, Irrigate Nigeria would have a multiplier effect across the agricultural value chain. He explained that the programme would facilitate knowledge transfer, introduce advanced farming technologies, and ensure equitable wealth distribution among farmers and other stakeholders.
He commended the Federal Government for prioritising inclusivity, accountability, and economic impact in designing the initiative, stating that this is the kind of structured agricultural intervention that Nigeria needs to achieve sustainable development.
Dr Mohammed Dahiru, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), also spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of the PPP model in ensuring the sustainability of the Irrigate Nigeria Project. He explained that the initiative was structured to avoid the pitfalls of previous government-led agricultural interventions, which were often fully funded by public funds or development partners but failed due to lack of accountability and commitment to long-term success. He emphasised that by involving the private sector from the outset, the project has a much higher chance of success and continuity.
Dr Dahiru further explained that private sector investors are highly motivated to ensure the success of their investments, unlike fully government-funded projects that sometimes fail due to mismanagement or lack of continuity. He argued that no private investor would put funds into a project and allow it to fail, which is why the PPP model is essential for the sustainability of Irrigate Nigeria.
According to him, the involvement of private sector stakeholders ensures that the project is not only well-managed but also continuously improved to meet the needs of farmers and drive long-term agricultural development.
The launch of Irrigate Nigeria in Gamawa marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout of the initiative, with NASENI set to replicate the programme in other states under the RHIDF framework.
The agency is working to ensure that the project is expanded to benefit farmers across the country, with a focus on regions where irrigation infrastructure is most needed. The initiative is expected to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape by increasing productivity, stabilising food prices, and reducing the country’s dependence on food imports.
With its innovative approach to irrigation and sustainable farming, the Irrigate Nigeria Project is poised to play a crucial role in the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance food security and economic growth. The initiative stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s agricultural sector, empowering farmers, and ensuring that the country’s vast agricultural potential is fully harnessed for national prosperity.
