FCT Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone Project (SAPZ) under the FCT Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat has taken a significant step towards promoting efficient water use and irrigation practices among farmers by training 30 farmers on irrigation and water-saving techniques.
The Agric Productivity Officer, APO SAPZ, Haruna Maisamari Umar, Wednesday, stated that SAPZ aims to enhance agricultural productivity while conserving precious resource.
He said: “This training programme is crucial, especially in dry season where water scarcity is a significant challenge. By equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills to optimise water use, SAPZ is contributing to improving crop yields and quality, reduced water waste and conservation, enhanced resilience to climate change and drought, and increased food security and livelihoods for farmers and their communities.”
He said by empowering farmers with these techniques, SAPZ is helping to ensure a more sustainable and productive agricultural sector.
Umar added that SAPZ project is part of the Feed Africa Strategy launched by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to transform agriculture into globally competitive, inclusive and business oriented sector that will create wealth, generate gainful employment and improve quality of life.
He said: “This program promotes increased productivity, value addition, market access and private sector investment in select agricultural value chain commodities. The focus is on the promotion of commodities that have a high potential to boost export revenues or import substitution.”
Also, the facilitator, Engineering and Rural Infrastructure, FCT-ADP, Ale Lukman Onitekun, said some of the efficient water use and irrigation techniques that farmers may have learned during the training include drip irrigation and sprinkler systems, mulching and soil conservation methods, crop selection and rotation for optimal water use and precision irrigation and soil moisture monitoring.
He stated further that, by empowering farmers with the techniques, SAPZ is helping to ensure a more sustainable and productive agricultural sector.
He said SAPZ has taken a significant step towards promoting efficient water use and irrigation practices among farmers.
He noted that the training is apt and will promote increased productivity, value addition, market access and private sector investment in selected agricultural value chain commodities.
Narokka Musa, FCT-ADP also stated the importance of training farmers, especially youth, on irrigation and dry season farming techniques.
He said the initiative has numerous benefits, including improved livelihoods and increased income by adopting efficient irrigation methods.
He added that farmers can boost their crop yields and incomes and ensure better nutrition, while access to stable food supply can improve nutrition and health outcomes for farmers and their communities.
He stated further that engaging youth in farming can reduce unemployment and provide a sense of purpose.
“By providing alternative livelihoods, you can help reduce insecurity and social unrest. Efficient irrigation techniques can help conserve water, reducing waste and environmental degradation,” he said.
He added that dry season farming can promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce the pressure on land and resources during the wet season.