Posted on July 12, 2016
Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa said that the World Bank has agreed to sponsor the dredging of 90-kilometre length River Hadejia to improve irrigation and rice production in the area.
Badaru made this known when he received the Emir of Dutse, Nuhu Sunusi, who paid him a Sallah homage on Thursday in Dutse.
He explained that “typher grass’’ had been preventing farmers from undergoing a proper irrigation and fishing in the area.
According to him, the World Bank has interest on the project following the availability of fertile land in the area to boost farming activities.
The governor said the state government was committed to boost agriculture, particularly rice production in the state.
He said the World Bank in collaboration with International Development Agency (IDA) had decided to expand the irrigation project in the state from 40, 000 hectares to 300,000 hectares.
The governor said that the state government was determined to expand the 300,000 hectares to 500, 000 hectares to cover all the identified Fadama areas.
“Apart from this, the African Development Bank (AfDB) would also take part in supporting rice production and other irrigation farming in the state.
“The information made available to me indicated that Dangote Rice Production Scheme that had commenced in the state would compete with others in terms of quality and quantity,” he said.
Badaru expressed appreciation to the Emir and other traditional rulers for their support in enlightening and mobilising the public on the polio immunisation and for supporting other government’s policies.
Speaking earlier, the Emir commended the governor for the completion of some ongoing projects he inherited from his predecessor.
Sunusi also lauded the governor on his agricultural policies and appealed to him to involve peasant farmers in the programme.
Source: Today
