The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has inaugurated the Irrigate Nigeria Project in Bauchi State, aiming to develop one million hectares of irrigated farmland to enhance food production. The initiative, launched in Udubo, Gamawa LGA, seeks to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture by utilizing modern irrigation technologies.
Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dahiru Muhammad, highlighted that while Nigeria has a potential 3.14 million hectares for irrigation, only 200,000 hectares are currently in use.
The project will focus 70% of its development in northern Nigeria and will operate through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to attract investment and deploy smart irrigation technologies, including solar-powered water pumps and automated irrigation systems.
NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Halilu, stated that the project aims to enable year-round farming, increase food production, reduce food prices, and position Nigeria as an agricultural export hub. Farmers will receive training in advanced farming techniques, water conservation, and agribusiness development.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the initiative, announcing that Bauchi had allocated an additional 50,000 hectares for the project. The Irrigate Nigeria Project is a collaboration between NASENI and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, aligning with the federal government’s goal to modernize agriculture and ensure food security.
