Dams boost irrigation farming in Kaduna

Our correspondent who went round to see some of the dams reports that their presence has helped in boosting agro economic activities in the communities around  them.At the Galma Dam, a project of the federal government located in Kubau Local Government Area, it was observed that communities are already springing up as a result of […]

Our correspondent who went round to see some of the dams reports that their presence has helped in boosting agro economic activities in the communities around  them.
At the Galma Dam, a project of the federal government located in Kubau Local Government Area, it was observed that communities are already springing up as a result of the dam, availing themselves of the opportunity by embarking on irrigation farming, fishing and general agricultural and economic activities.
The Hunkuyi Dam which is located in Kudan Local Government Area of the state has already generated a lot of agricultural activities including dry season farming, buying and selling of agricultural produce like cabbage, carrots, tomatoes and a host of others.
 The dam has also attracted a high level of settlement around the area. The dam, which was constructed in 2008, is a project of Kaduna State Government under the Ministry of Water Resources.
Malam Kabiru Mahmud, a 69-year-old migrant farmer in the area, explained that he is engaged in dry season farming around the environs of Hunkuyi Dam. He said: “I used to farm maize before and I normally make between N100,000 to N150,000 per annum. But since my friend, one Yusuf Danlami, introduced me to this dry season farming, I started earning higher. I realise that more money is made from dry season farming because now I cultivate not just maize but carrots, cabbage and even onions. I now make over N200, 000 per annum.’’
A trader in farm produce, Sani Ango alias ‘Dan Kano’ said he buys tomatoes from farmers around the dam because he is sure of making gain of up to N2,000 on each basket of tomatoes.
He said there is a particular type of tomato that brings him more gain and it is called ‘Jos special’, noting that irrigation farming is good business.