Jigawa Desert Irrigation Scheme A Huge Success – Coordinator
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
Jigawa State Government’s massive dryland agricultural campaign in four local government areas facing desertification has been a huge success, the coordinator of the project, Alhaji Muhammad Imam, has said.
The initiative, funded by Islamic Development Bank, is to control rural-urban migration and object poverty in local government areas bordering Niger Republic.
He said that the project is being implemented in Maigatari, Birniwa and Kafin Hausa local government areas of the state.
Already, 30 hectres are being cultivated on pilot basis with at leat 80 farmers fully engaged in Maigatari local government area alone, Imam said in an interview with The Syndicate in Dutse.
The coordinator said that the idea of the project for dryland area irrigation was conceived over 50 years ago as a result of the devastating effect of 1973/75 of drought that hit most parts of Northern Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, very little was done until 2023 when Governor Malam Umar Namadi came into power, and he took it upon himself to actualize this audacious dream, and by Allah’s grace and through His Excellency’s concerted efforts, we commissioned the Lallashi borehole-based irrigation scheme in the upland areas of Jigawa State.
“So far, the Lallashi irrigation scheme in Maigatari local government area has taken off. Dry season products produced in the area such as Wheat, Maize, Watermelon, Tomatoes etc have matured and are about to be harvested.
“The project is based on four industrial boreholes powered by solar energy using semi-conduit and drip irrigation techniques. Up to eighty small holder farmers are currently directly involved in cultivating the 80 hectares.
“It is worthy of note that two other similar projects in Kafin Hausa and Birniwa Local Governments are currently ongoing and soon to be completed and commissioned as well.”
Imam said that the project has in its 2025 budget, allocations for the expansion of the borehole-based irrigation project to non-fadama parts of the state, including Gumel, Sule Tankarkar, and Gagarawa local government areas.
He said that the project was a testimony to the governor’s commitments to transforming the lives of Jigawa youth.
“The project also stands as proof of the present administration’s vision and commitment to transforming agriculture, improving food security, and empowering our people.
According to him, hundreds of people and their households are direct beneficiaries of the irrigation scheme as they have already started harvesting their crops.
“This is a testament to how impactful and timely this intervention has been. At the inception of this project, many in the community expressed doubt. When they first heard that an irrigation scheme will be established in Maigatari Local Government, some believed it was impossible.
“Today, by the grace of Allah, what once seemed impossible, has become a reality. This project is not just a success story; it is a symbol of hope, perseverance, and the power of visionary leadership.
“These achievements align seamlessly with the 12-Point Agenda of his administration, particularly in the areas of food security, job creation, and rural development”, the project coordinator said.
