Explore Ways To Address Irrigation Challenges- Utsev To Stakeholders

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, has called on stakeholders in the water sector to explore innovative solutions to address challenges in the irrigation and drainage sub-sector.

Professor Utsev made this call at the National Workshop and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (NINCID), themed “Sustainable Irrigation and Drainage System Management for Food Security in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Director Information and Public Relations in the Ministry, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinya in Abuja

According to the statement, the minister, who was represented by the Director of Legal Services in the Ministry, Mrs. Yvonne Odu-Thomas reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to advancing the agricultural sector through various interventions aimed at scaling up irrigation and drainage infrastructure across Nigeria.

It highlights the National Irrigation Development Program as one of the key initiatives designed to enhance the capacity of smallholder farmers, boost agricultural production, and ensure efficient water resource utilization.

The statement acknowledges persistent challenges despite the efforts of both government and private stakeholders.

It emphasizes that functional irrigation and drainage systems are critical for overcoming these issues in the water sector.

The statement stresses the adoption of sustainable practices, leveraging modern technologies such as precision irrigation, satellite monitoring, and automation to improve water-use efficiency.

It also stresses the importance of investing in the capacity building of local farmers, engineers, and water management specialists to boost agricultural yields, reduce dependency on erratic rainfall, and enhance food security nationwide.

According to the statement on his part, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, represented by the Director of Irrigation and Drainage, Mrs. Esther Oyeronke Oluniyi emphasizes the role of agriculture in driving substantial economic growth, noting that agriculture provides employment for a significant portion of Nigeria’s rural population.

The statement says the Director of Irrigation and Drainage, Mrs. Esther Oyeronke Oluniyi, represented by her deputy, Mrs. Florence Oyakhirome describes the event as an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on past achievements and identify areas requiring focused efforts in the years ahead.

The high point of the event was the declaration of the workshop open by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Abubakar Akum

By Georgina Humphrey