By Faridat Salifu
In a significant stride towards enhancing agricultural productivity, Professor Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, recently inaugurated the 2023/24 dry season farming in Benue State.
This move aligns with the Federal Government’s ambitious target of utilizing 500,000 hectares of irrigable land by 2024, echoing President Bola Tinubu’s directive to optimize the potential of such lands.
During the inauguration ceremony, Professor Utsev emphasized the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling its mandate and urged potential investors to explore opportunities within the water sector. Additionally, he announced the government’s intention to provide crucial incentives, including water pumps, to farmers, aiming to bolster their cultivation efforts.
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The overarching initiative aims to harness the potential of the 12 River Basins across the country as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, with a strategic focus on enhancing food production and strengthening the national economy, as outlined by Mr. Utsev.
Highlighting the government’s dedication to supporting the agricultural sector, the Minister outlined plans to provide improved seedlings and technical assistance to farmers, emphasizing a holistic approach to sustainable farming practices.
Mr. Mohammed Addra, the Managing Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, expressed gratitude during the event for the ongoing collaboration with the host community. He reaffirmed the Authority’s steadfast commitment to sustaining this partnership, underlining its pivotal role in the success of the initiative.
In addition to inaugurating the Soil and Geographic Information System laboratories of the basin, the Minister presented certificates and distributed starter packs to the 5th Batch of graduands from the Federal Government’s Graduates/Youths Empowerment Programme. He also conducted inspections at the rice mill and Songhai Model Farm, distributing water pumps and other inputs directly to farmers, further solidifying the government’s support for the agricultural community.
