Al-Makura tasks regional governments on irrigation farming

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has tasked state governments and other key stakeholders in the North Central geopolitical zone to develop structure that will support dry season farming that will lead to food sufficiency in the country. Al-Makura, who made the call in Lafia during the North Central and FCT farmers’ forum and exhibition […]

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has tasked state governments and other key stakeholders in the North Central geopolitical zone to develop structure that will support dry season farming that will lead to food sufficiency in the country.

Al-Makura, who made the call in Lafia during the North Central and FCT farmers’ forum and exhibition organised by the Daily Trust newspapers in collaboration with the Nasarawa state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the zone is blessed with conducive climate and fertile soil favourable for the cultivation of almost all tropical crops and some areas like the Plateau for cultivation of temperate crops.

Al-Makura said the zone is traversed by the rivers Niger and Benue as well as other perennial and seasonal streams that support irrigation farming for all year round agricultural activities towards the achievement of sustainable food security.

Represented by his deputy, Silas Agara,  Al-Makura explained that over 90 per cent of the agricultural production in the zone is rain-fed, adding that the level of irrigation farming is very low with the attendant idling of the farming population during the dry season.

“Crops perform better under irrigation farming as the farmer is in control of almost all the parameters of the crop and the yields are higher than in the rain-fed condition. It therefore behoves on us in the zone to redouble efforts towards the development of structures to support dry season farming for all year round activities for the farming populace, which will also improve their income,” he said.

The governor noted that his administration had provided enabling environment and policies for agricultural investors to boost food production in the state and the country, adding that the steps had attracted key investors including Dangote group, who is set to invest N200bn on sugarcane production and Olam farm that had already cultivate over 10, 000 hectares of rice in the state

He commended Daily Trust for organising the forum, aimed at promoting the great agricultural potentials of the country.