River Basin Authority Empowers 1,000 Youths As Irrigation Champions In Kano, Others

The Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) has empowered 1,000 youths as Irrigation Champions to support farmers and boost food production across Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi states.

The managing director of the authority, Rabiu Bichi, disclosed this at a ceremony held at the HJRBDA headquarters yesterday.

Bichi said the initiative was part of the efforts to engage youths in modern agriculture and strengthening the link between farmers and the authority’s irrigation schemes.

He said the 1,000 beneficiaries would serve for three months, providing technical support to farmers, promoting improved agronomic practices and efficient water management.

Bichi added that the beneficiaries would also support peacebuilding and conflict resolution between farmers and herders.

“Another important responsibility will be to contribute to peacebuilding and conflict resolution between farmers and herders.

We recognise that peaceful coexistence is fundamental to sustainable agricultural development,” he said.

Bichi said the programme was part of his commitment to youth empowerment after assuming office on April 9, 2025, adding that the authority planned to train at least 5,000 youths across the three states within three years.

According to him, the beneficiaries would be trained in modern irrigation, beekeeping, horticulture, greenhouse farming, fodder grass production and hydroponics.

The MD said the authority had, within the past year, increased irrigable land by 2,500 hectares, trained 1,350 youths in poultry farming and 1,500 men and women in drip irrigation.

He added that more than 500 boreholes had been drilled, while over 5,000 solar-powered streetlights were installed in farming communities.

Bichi said the interventions were in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its food security drive.

“You are representatives of the authority and ambassadors of agricultural transformation. Listen to farmers’ challenges, provide practical solutions and ensure your presence makes a positive difference,” he told the beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries received 600 solar water pumps, 150 motorcycles, eight rice cutters and 20 motorised sprayers, among other items.

The ceremony was attended by government officials, political leaders and other stakeholders, including the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Baffa Babba Dan Agundi.