The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has launched an initiative to promote food security and poverty alleviation in Nigeria by strategically managing water resources.
Speaking at a two-day Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Workshop in Nasarawa State, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, emphasized the government’s commitment to leveraging water resources for sustainable development and economic growth.
“The attention of the government has been drawn to the critical role of water resources in driving agricultural productivity and poverty reduction,” Prof. Utsev said.
He outlined three flagship programmes aimed at revolutionizing agricultural productivity and poverty reduction:
– River Basin Strategy for Poverty Alleviation (RB-SPA): Enhancing agricultural productivity in river basin areas to stimulate economic growth and improve farmers’ access to markets.
– Water for Expanded Irrigated Agriculture Programme (WEIRPRO): Boosting irrigated agriculture to unlock the untapped potential of water resources for higher agricultural yields and economic prosperity.
– Partnership for Expanded Irrigation Programme (PEIRPRO): Emphasizing collaboration across sectors and innovative technologies to expand irrigation and foster sustainable livelihoods.
Prof. Utsev stressed that these initiatives represent a paradigm shift in the approach to water resource management and agricultural development.
He emphasized the significance of aligning the workshop’s objectives with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-Point Agenda, which prioritizes food security and poverty eradication.