By Ayodele Oni
Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud has revealed that government has demarcated cattle routes spanning approximately 1,270 kilometers across the state to address farmers-herders clashes.
He disclosed this while briefing journalists on the achievements of his Ministry.
Dr Mahmoud said the intervention has helped in reducing conflicts between farmers and herders to their lowest levels.
He also disclosed that the ministry recovered more than 1,200 acres of farmland through the rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, as part of efforts to expand agricultural production and strengthen food security.
“Similarly, the ministry has assessed existing irrigation facilities and identified damaged infrastructure requiring rehabilitation at major sites, including the Kadawa Farmers’ Centre, and Bunkure A and B.”
According to the commissioner, the interventions which were approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, involved clearing irrigation channels and rehabilitating canals, helping to restore more than 1,200 acres of farmland for agricultural activities.
He added that collaboration with the Nigerian Government and the African Development Bank-funded ATAPS project facilitated the recovery of more than 200 additional acres for irrigation.
“The state has embarked on a major irrigation project at Donsoshiya, featuring a dam measuring about two kilometres in length, with an estimated water storage capacity of three billion litres.
Mahmoud expressed hope that the project would provide irrigation infrastructure for about 500 hectares, equivalent to 1,250 acres of farmland.
He disclosed that the 14-kilometre access road constructed to enable heavy equipment to reach the project site had been completed, while construction of the dam had reached approximately 40 per cent.
He said the irrigation channels are also being expanded beyond their original scope to accommodate more farmland.
In addition to the Donsoshiya project, the commissioner added that the government has secured approval for 11 smaller dams and irrigation schemes across 11 local government areas.
On agricultural modernization, Mahmoud revealed that the State Government made arrangements to provide modern farming equipment, including tractors, thrashers, forklifts, combined harvesters, solar-powered irrigation pumps, planters and transplanters.
“The government, with support from development partners, also planned to provide small and medium-size rice mills to registered farmers’ cooperatives.”
According to him, the smaller rice mills would particularly benefit women, while larger facilities would serve major producers.
The commissioner assured that the equipment would be distributed free of charge to qualified cooperatives, provided they demonstrate transparency, sound management, regular leadership elections and commitment to business principles.
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