Federal Government Boosts Agricultural Productivity with Simple Irrigation Training Programme

Dayo Thomas

The Federal Government has launched a Simple Irrigation training programme for farmer groups across the country, aiming to boost all-year-round crop production, increase farmers’ income, and enhance food and nutrition security. The programme, championed by the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services (FDAES), is part of the Ministry’s efforts to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector into a modern, resilient, and inclusive engine of national development.

Addressing participants at the Training and Demonstration of Simple Irrigation Facilities for Dogaroda-Kai Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Farmers’ Group in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, emphasized that the programme aims to equip farmers with practical irrigation solutions, reducing vulnerability to erratic rainfall and boosting productivity . The training will cover simple irrigation techniques, crop diversification, and market-driven solutions, enabling farmers to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.

The programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes food security, farmer empowerment, and climate-smart agriculture . The Ministry has distributed critical agricultural inputs to farmers nationwide, strengthened extension services, and expanded partnerships with development agencies and the private sector to mobilize investments for agricultural modernization.

The SHEP project, funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has been implemented in Nigeria since 2017, with FDAES partnering with KickStart International Limited to provide affordable irrigation solutions . The programme is expected to strengthen organised farmer groups, build community resilience, and ensure food sovereignty in the country.