We are into triple cropping – Rima MD

Sir, is there any threat of flooding from the dams under your control?No. You know we have a number of large dams like Bakalori in Zamfara State, Goronyo in Sokoto State, Jibiya and Zobe in Katsina State that are under our jurisdiction. Quite frankly, we have been taking some measures to ensure that these dams […]

Sir, is there any threat of flooding from the dams under your control?
No. You know we have a number of large dams like Bakalori in Zamfara State, Goronyo in Sokoto State, Jibiya and Zobe in Katsina State that are under our jurisdiction. Quite frankly, we have been taking some measures to ensure that these dams are properly managed and supervised. One of the measures is the sensitization of the communities, further downstream, of the dams on what to do and what not to do.
For example, we have been educating them to avoid constructing structures along the water crossings and also to avoid farming along the water crossings. We have been telling this not only to the farmers and the communities there, but also to the state and local governments, and youth organizations.
We have also made sure that the gates of the dams are opened from time to time to ensure that the water in the dams are discharged as much as possible so that they can contain more rain water. We shall continue to do so until around September when we shall close the gates in order to absorb enough water for usage during the dry season.
Zobe dam has not been productive as it has no functional irrigation facilities as at last year. Is there any development on the dam since then?
Well, there are some challenges with budgetary cash flow. The contractor has actually been very slow but I believe things will be resolved this year in terms of cash flow. I know the budgetary provisions have been made and the contractor will put in more effort. I am hopeful that agricultural activities may start there around November 2013.
What is the level of irrigation activities at Goronyo, Bakalori and Jibiya irrigation sites so far?
During the 2012 and 2013 irrigation farming in those areas, we re-introduced the production of wheat in two schemes at Bakalori and Jibiya. At Bakalori we experimented and re-introduced 200 hectares for wheat production. That was planted ceremonially in November 2012. The Minister of Water Resources and the Zamfara State governor were there and they planted. We did a nice production. After harvesting the wheat, then the entire 11,000 hectares of irrigated farmlands in Bakalori was then planted with assorted crops including rice and maize.
We are harvesting that right now as we are also planting for the wet season. So, it is ongoing. We are working towards triple cropping where in a year we would be able to plant three times. So, with 11,000 hectares being harvested three times in a year, that means you are effectively doing 33,000 hectares of production. All this income is going to the pockets of the farmers. Government does not take anything from them. Government’s desire is to empower the rural communities, assist the poor farmers to also become rich, which I think deserves commendation. It is also a way of ensuring that we have food security and to provide employment all year round. In Jibiya, we had a similar ceremony where the Minister for Water Resources and the Governor of Katsina State launched the dry season planting of wheat in November 2012 that was harvested in March this year. Only 100 hectares of farmland was done there as foundation.
We did that to test the ability of the farmers to produce these quick yielding crops. The farmers really appreciate the development and we shall empower them to commence triple cropping with those quick crops that can be harvested in just four months. I must admit that one of our greatest challenges now is to ensure that after the production of the crops, and then we need marketing. Yes, we need to market these crops by getting buyers as that is the only way we can encourage the farmers to continue producing. It is either the government comes in or the private sector comes in to find stable market for these crops. With money in their pockets and the ongoing support from government, Nigerian farmers will continually enhance their production.
We understand government is planning to privatize irrigation facilities in the country. What exactly are they privatizing since the farmlands are owned by the individual farmers?
Well, I read that report in the Daily Trust. I will advise that you go to the Ministry of Water Resources and clarify with them. There is the PPP that specifically deals with that. However, what I know for a fact is that the dams where the water is collected are places bought by government and compensation duly paid. The infrastructures that include the channel system, the road network within the irrigation scheme belong to government. They are provided by government to improve the agricultural productivity of the farmers. The farmlands actually belong to the farmers. I am not sure that the intention is to take away the lands from the people. Government is aware that people are making their livelihood there. The essence is to enhance the productivity of the farmers and not to drive them away.
However, you can see that there are ways in which the private sector can come in without taking over any farmland from its owner. It could be by involving the private sector in standard harvesting, threshing and milling of crops. It could be by way of removing bi-products and converting them into something more useful to the society like animal feed or even paper. These things the private sector can come in and do without taking over anybody’s land. I believe that is probably the intention and not to take away the means of livelihood of the farmers.
I am sure the issue is to assist and improve the productivity of the farmers in those areas. Of course, even within the reservoir itself, the private sector can be invited to put fingerlings and they come in and start fishing there. Government cannot do everything. The private sector must come in to improve these things. At the end the whole thing, it is the farmer that will benefit from the private sector involvement. Look, even the farmers themselves are private. So, they should accept the involvement of other private sector investors.