The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure has inaugurated the Irrigate Nigeria Project in Bauchi State, targeting 3.14 million hectares of farmland to boost food production through modern irrigation technology.
Speaking at the inauguration in Udubo, the Gamawa Local Government Area on Saturday, the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dahiru Muhammad, lamented Nigeria’s continued dependence on rain-fed agriculture, despite the sector employing over 70% of the country’s workforce.
“The Irrigate Nigeria Project is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity through modern irrigation technologies.
“Through the project, NASENI plans to develop one million hectares of irrigated land, with 70% of this located in the North.” Muhammad said.
He explained that while Nigeria has an irrigation potential of 3.14 million hectares, only about 200,000 hectares are currently under cultivation using irrigation.
Muhammad added that the initiative will be driven by a Public-Private Partnership model to attract investment, deploy smart irrigation technologies, and provide market-driven technical support.
Muhammad noted that farmers will receive training in advanced farming techniques, water conservation, and agribusiness development to ensure long-term sustainability.
He explained that unlike previous irrigation programs that relied solely on government funding, the Irrigate Nigeria Project integrates smart irrigation technologies, such as solar-powered water pumps and automated irrigation systems, to enhance efficiency and minimize water wastage.
On his part, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Khalil Halilu, said the initiative aims to transform Nigeria’s agriculture by ensuring year-round farming, increasing food production, and reducing food prices.
He explained that the project involves deploying centralized NASENI irrigation systems to support farming clusters in participating communities, providing high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and technical support to farmers, and implementing a commercial model designed for long-term sustainability.
He added that the initiative will enable Nigerian farmers to cultivate crops throughout the year, irrespective of rainfall patterns.
Halilu stated that by increasing agricultural productivity, the initiative would raise farmers’ incomes and reduce food costs for consumers.
He further said that surplus food production could position Nigeria as an agricultural export hub, earning foreign exchange and enhancing economic stability.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who was present at the launch, lauded President Bola Tinubu for the initiative, noting that it would facilitate the cultivation of 30,000 hectares of land annually in Udubo, Gamawa LGA.
He added that the project would boost food availability and security through dry-season farming and other agricultural activities.
Mohammed also announced that his administration had allocated an additional 50,000 hectares of land in Toro LGA for the project as part of efforts to modernise agriculture in the state.
The Irrigate Nigeria Project is a collaborative effort between NASENI and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund with private-sector participation, aligning with President Tinubu’s agenda to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
