To enhance agricultural policy and boost food security in Nigeria, the federal government has spent over US295 million on the dredging of Hadejia River, Jigawa state.
Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, stated this during the official commissioning of N7.7 billion Kazaure water supply scheme constructed by the government of President Buhari through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development.
The governor said the project includes, dredging of the clearance of typher grasses, which blocks the water as well as channelisation of farmlands along riverside, adding that water is now flowing maximally and meets the demands of the irrigation farmers in the state.
Gov. Badaru stated further that before the coming of APC government, farmers along coastal areas, in the state did not have access to 20 percent of water supply.
But now, farmers got over 80 percent water flows along the river side where they plant their crops, such as rice, wheat, Maize, tomato onion, pepper, water melon, among other fruits.
”Before this gigantic projects , water from the river diverts to where it is not needed, moving up Nguru, Gashuwa, and other neighboring villages in Yobe and leaving our farmers at Krikasamma, Birniwa , and Guri local government areas in Jigawa tate which cause a colossal loss being experienced by our farmers,” Badaru stated.
He said, the rehabilitation and channelisation of Gari Dam in Kunchi local government area of Kano state was another plus for Jigawa state, because over 300 farmers from Roni, Gwiwa and Kazaure are using the water to produce cash and food crops because of their proximity to the dam.
