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By Daniel Adaji
The Federal Government is partnering with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to train farmers across the country on affordable irrigation techniques as part of efforts to boost year-round food production, improve livelihoods and strengthen national food sovereignty.
The initiative, implemented through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was unveiled at the Training and Demonstration of Simple Irrigation Facilities for Dogaroda-Kai Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Farmers’ Group in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Addressing the farmers on Wednesday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said the programme is designed to equip smallholder farmers with practical irrigation solutions that reduce dependence on rainfall and increase productivity.
Represented by the Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services (FDAES), Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, the minister explained that the training aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places food security, farmer empowerment and climate-smart agriculture at the heart of national development.
Kyari said the Agenda championed by the Ministry “is firmly anchored on the belief that Nigeria must feed itself and prosper through Agriculture.”
“It places Agriculture at the centre of national development by prioritising food security, empowering farmers at the grassroots through training, extension services, and access to modern technologies, promoting climate-smart and resilient agricultural practices, and creating jobs while driving rural prosperity and economic growth,” he added.
He disclosed that, in pursuit of these goals, the Ministry has distributed critical agricultural inputs nationwide to ensure timely access to improved seeds, fertilisers and agrochemicals, strengthened extension services and institutions, and expanded partnerships with development agencies and the private sector to mobilise investments for agricultural modernisation.
According to the minister, the simple irrigation programme, championed by the FDAES, is a key component of the government’s plan to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector into a modern, resilient and inclusive engine of growth.
He noted that the training will cover simple irrigation techniques, crop diversification and market-driven solutions, enabling farmers to improve their incomes while contributing to national economic growth.
Kyari added that the programme will strengthen organised farmer groups, build community resilience and ensure food sovereignty in the country.
He noted that the SHEP project, funded by JICA, has been implemented in Nigeria since 2017, with the FDAES partnering KickStart International Limited to deliver affordable irrigation solutions to smallholder farmers.
Emphasising the importance of water in agriculture, the minister pointed out that “water remains the lifeblood of agriculture,” adding that “With the adoption of simple irrigation facilities, farmers are better positioned to extend their farming activities beyond the rainy season, diversify crop production, increase yields, improve household income and food availability, and contribute meaningfully to the national goal of food self-sufficiency under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to replicating the model in other parts of the country to promote sustainable agricultural practices and food security nationwide.
While commending stakeholders and development partners for their support, Kyari urged members of the Dogaroda-Kai SHEP Farmers’ Group to fully embrace the innovation and cascade the knowledge gained to make Nasarawa State a hub of sustainable agricultural productivity.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Dogaroda-Kai SHEP Farmers, Yusuf Mohammed, pledged that the farmers would leverage the knowledge acquired from the training to increase productivity and improve their livelihoods.