Yobe Govt. records increase in irrigation farming – Commissioner
NAN-AE-6
Irrigation
Bursari (Yobe), Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) Yobe Commissioner for Agriculture, Malam Mustapha Gajerima, said on Thursday that the state has recorded an increase in irrigation agriculture by farming communities.
Gajerima stated this in Bursari, Yobe, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Dayama Vegetable Farm in Bursari Local Government Area of the state.
The commissioner said farmers in the state have massively engaged in vegetable production through irrigation to create sufficiency of the agricultural product.
“Many farmers have embraced irrigation farming while others have expanded their farms because it is more profitable.
“Vegetables are harvested three times before the farmers go into rice, wheat and other crops’ cultivation by the end of the year; so you can see that it is more lucrative.
“We have planted pepper, onions and tomatoes on this 11 hectare-farm land; we expect to make three harvests before the end of the year when we will be planting upland rice variety and wheat.
“This farm provides employment opportunities for people and also serve as an irrigation training centre for youths in this community with interest in farming, “ he said.
Gajerima said Yobe has agricultural potential to meet the food requirement of Nigeria, adding “we can successfully achieve this through irrigation.
“Yobe has advantage of vast arable lands with 765-kilometre stretch of River Yobe, making the state most favourable for irrigation farming,“ he added.
The commissioner, however, appealed to the Federal Government to dredge River Yobe to improve water flow to the downstream to enhance irrigation and fishing activities among the communities.
He also said the government has established a Task Force to boost irrigation farming in the state.
“The projects located in Nguru, Giedam and Jumbam will provide farming and employment opportunities for people and boost food security, “ he stressed.
Gajerima said the ministry has extension officers to provide professional guidance to the state`s irrigation farmers to improve agricultural activities.
“I am particularly happy with the fact that our elites and youths are all embracing irrigation farming and promoting food sufficiency and security in the state,“ he said. (NAN)
MM/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
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