Benue State’s 2023–2024 dry season farming was officially kicked off on Wednesday by Prof. Joseph Utse, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation.
The minister stated that the Federal Government intended to cultivate 500,000 hectares of land by 2024 during the ceremony held in Mbaku, Makurdi.
According to Utsev, the ministry has been instructed by President Bola Tinubu to make sure that 500,000 hectares of arable land be utilised as efficiently as possible by 2024.
As to the minister’s statement, the president’s famed hope programme will see all 12 River Basins in the nation completely exploited by 2024.
Additionally, he claimed that the majority of the basins had been partially commercialised in order to strengthen the nation’s economy and food production.
According to the minister, irrigation farming will not be possible on the 1,500 hectares of land at the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority Makurdi farm in the Mbaku community in 2024.
He urged investors to put money into the nation’s water sector and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to carrying out its duty.
“We have set up every mechanism possible to make sure that there is no justification for us to not advance agriculture in this nation.
“The nation’s twelve river basins are now partially commercialised. We are currently extending an invitation to investors to join forces with us.
“To improve and motivate farmers, we will be providing them with various incentives today, such water pumps.
“I want to reassure the famers that we are prepared to support them, work with them, and help them to overcome their challenges so that food would be available to all Nigerians as we do symbolic planting of the crops today,” he added.
The minister declared that the government will also give farmers access to better seedlings and technical assistance.
The Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority’s managing director, engineer Mohammed Addra, of Makurdi, had earlier than expected thanked the host community for their cooperation and pledged to keep working with them.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the minister opened the Lessel Dam basin’s Geographic Information System and Soil Laboratory during his visit.
Additionally, he gave starter packets and certificates to the fifth batch of graduates under the Federal Government’s Graduates/Youths Empowerment Programme.
The minister also gave some farmers water pumps and other inputs to the graduates after inspecting Songhai Model Farm, a rice mill.
