Katsina Ala Irrigation Project To Transform Agriculture, Empower Youths – Minister

The federal government is to establish an irrigation site at the bank of the River Katsina Ala in Katsina Ala local government area under the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project to facilitate irrigation farming in the state.

The minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, who disclosed this during an inspection of the a World Bank/FG-supported SPIN project site in Katsina-Ala, said that if completed, over 2,000 idle youths will be taken off the street.

The minister stated that the inspection was in line with the President’s directive to assess all water supply facilities and dams in the country to ascertain areas requiring government intervention.

According to him, “the five thousand hectares of irrigable land earmarked for the project are part of the policy drive of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration, targeted at ensuring food security and providing employment for the teeming youths.

Prof. Utsev informed that the irrigation project would be implemented under public public-private partnership, emphasising that the federal government particularly targeted Benue due to its rich arable lands

The National Project Coordinator of SPIN, Ipinlaye Olaiya, also speaking on the Katsina-Ala Irrigation Project, stated that the project is specifically designed to increase food production, create employment for youths, and contribute to national development through increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Speaking on when the project will commence, the minister disclosed that implementation would begin as soon as clearance is received from the development partner.

Some of the irrigation farmers who spoke during the inspection tour in Katsina-Ala, including pumpkin and Pepper farmer Terwase Pine, Grace Fanen, Garden Egg and tomato farmers, applauded President Tinubu for empowering youths and women in the area, even as they appeal for more support from the president to improve their production.

“We want the president to support us with modern farming inputs like fertiliser, herbicides, improved seeds, among other farm inputs, to enhance productivity during the dry season.