By Ade Iyamoye
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched the Irrigate Nigeria Project (INP), a transformative initiative aimed at irrigating 3.14 million hectares of farmland to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure year-round farming.
Speaking at the launch in Udubo, Bauchi State, the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dahiru Muhammad, said Nigeria’s over-reliance on rain-fed farming has hindered productivity and exposed farmers to unpredictable weather patterns.
He explained that the project will deploy modern irrigation technologies and provide farmers with training in water conservation and agribusiness development.
The initiative, which adopts a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, is designed to attract investments, integrate smart irrigation systems such as solar-powered water pumps, and ensure long-term sustainability.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, emphasized that the project will increase agricultural output, lower food prices, and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
He added that by boosting food production, Nigeria will not only achieve domestic sufficiency but also increase agricultural exports, earning much-needed foreign exchange.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, described the project as a game-changer for food security and economic growth.
He announced his administration’s commitment to modernizing agriculture by allocating an additional 50,000 hectares of land in Toro Local Government Area to support the initiative.
