FAO’s support to promote drip irrigation farming in Nigeria
Abuja - The Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCP) aimed to promote drip irrigation systems in Nigeria.
The signing was held on Wednesday October 13, 2021 between FMWR Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack and FAO Representative in Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr. Fred Kafeero, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Under the agreement, FAO provides technical support and USD 350,000 to support the promotion of drip irrigation systems in the country in order to boost food security, nutrition and rural livelihoods.
“We see this cooperation as key to achieving our ministerial mandate,” Mrs. Walson-Jeck adding: “We are happy to have this collaboration with FAO. This project will add up to the land that is already under irrigation in the country and will therefore be bringing us closer to our target.”
According to her, the Government has set a target of reaching 270 thousand hectares of land under irrigation by 2025.
“The project is very much welcome. We look forward to getting all the benefits which include not only irrigated land, but efficient farm water management.”
Enumerating other benefits, the Permanent Secretary said that it will contribute in ensuring well-defined and tested template for the conversion of flood based into drip-based irrigation systems, which in turn can be adapted by water basin development authorities across Nigeria.
Mrs. Walson-Jeck said that the Ministry was happy as during the course of this project there will also be transfer of technology suitable for smallholder education systems.
“So we see it as a project that would add great value to not only the work we do here in the ministry, but also to food security in Nigeria. We look forward to working with you on this project and we are happy today to sign the Technical Cooperation Programme documents,” she concluded.
On his side, Mr. Kafeero, said that the signing event was part of a series of activities lined up to mark the 2021 World Food Day in Nigeria.
The year’s WFD theme is ‘Our actions are our future. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life’ is aimed at raising awareness on the need for supporting the transformation of a more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.
It calls for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind so as to ensure that our agri-food systems deliver enough affordable, nutritious, and safe food for all.
“As a specialized Agency of the United Nations, FAO has the mandate to ensure food security and nutrition in all its member countries across the globe through sustainable management of natural resources including water,” Mr. Kafeero said.
He commended FMWR for leading in the formulation and implementation of the Water Resources Policy Programme, Development, and Support for Irrigated Agriculture for Food Security and Integrated Water Resources Management contributing optimally to the socio-economic activities in the nation.
“It is our hope that through the implementation of Technical Cooperation Programme, Nigeria will be able to strengthen its agriculture and food safety systems by making them sustainable and inclusive while at the same time ensuring improved health and livelihoods,” Mr. Kafeero pointed out.
For more details Comtact:
Emmanuel Kihaule David Tsokar Opeyemi Olagunju
Communications Specialist Communications Specialist Communications/Reporting Officer
FAO Nigeria FAO Nigeria FAO Nigeria – North East Sub Office