FG Urges State Governments To Provide Land For Irrigated Agriculture

***News in brief:

• Nigeria's water minister has urged state governments to allocate land for irrigated agriculture in 12 river basins.- He highlighted the role of state governments in promoting food security and economic development through irrigated agriculture.*** Nigerian Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has appealed to state governments to allocate irrigable land for the 12 river basins across the country to promote irrigated agriculture. Utsev made the plea during a courtesy visit to Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, following a familiarisation tour of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority situated within the state. A report of the event said that the minister emphasised President Bola Tinubu's directive to the ministry to invigorate food production, ensuring adequate food supplies for both domestic consumption and export. He said that the action was in line with the president's Renewed Hope agenda, and urged stakeholders to work together to achieve maximum food security. Also, he stressed the significance of irrigated agriculture in boosting agricultural output and the economy, particularly in areas with erratic rainfall patterns. The minister maintained that state governments played a crucial role in facilitating irrigated agriculture by providing access to land and supporting infrastructure development. Furthermore, Utsev expressed optimism that increased irrigation would not only enhance food production but also create employment opportunities and stimulate economic development in rural communities. The minister's call for collaboration between the federal government and state governments underscores the importance of a unified approach to addressing food security challenges.