The Federal Government has introduced a Simple Irrigation Training Programme for farmer groups across Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen food security, increase agricultural productivity, and improve farmers’ incomes.
The initiative is designed to support all-season farming by providing smallholder farmers with practical and affordable irrigation solutions. The programme aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on unpredictable rainfall while promoting climate-smart and resilient agricultural practices.
Speaking during a training and demonstration exercise for the Dogaroda-Kai Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Farmers’ Group in Keffi, Nasarawa State, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, explained that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes food security, farmer empowerment, and agricultural modernization.
The Minister, represented by the Director of the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services (FDAES), Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, stated that the government is committed to positioning agriculture as a key driver of national development. He noted that the agenda focuses on empowering grassroots farmers through training, extension services, and access to improved technologies, while also promoting job creation, rural economic growth, and sustainable farming systems.
Kyari disclosed that the Ministry has implemented several interventions to support farmers, including nationwide distribution of improved seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals. He also highlighted efforts to strengthen agricultural extension services and expand partnerships with development agencies and private sector investors to accelerate agricultural transformation.
According to the Minister, the irrigation programme, coordinated by the FDAES, will train farmers on simple irrigation techniques, crop diversification, and market-oriented farming strategies. The initiative is also expected to strengthen farmer cooperatives, improve community resilience, and enhance Nigeria’s food sovereignty.
The Minister further revealed that the SHEP project, funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has been operational in Nigeria since 2017. Under the project, FDAES collaborates with KickStart International Limited to provide farmers with affordable irrigation technologies.
He encouraged members of the Dogaroda-Kai farmers’ group to adopt and share the newly introduced techniques to enhance productivity and help position Nasarawa State as a centre for sustainable agricultural development.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, the group’s Secretary, Yusuf Mohammed, assured that participants would apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve their output and livelihoods. The event also featured the official presentation of a manual water pump to the farmers, demonstrating the government’s commitment to supporting smallholder agriculture in Nigeria.
