The Federal Government has organized a Simple Irrigation training programme for farmer groups in the country to boost all-year-round crop production, farmers’ income, and enhance food and nutrition security.
Addressing participants at the Training and Demonstration of Simple Irrigation Facilities for Dogaroda-Kai Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Farmers’ Group in KeffiNasarawa State recently, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari stated that the programme aims to equip farmers with practical irrigation solutions, reducing vulnerability to erratic rainfall and boosting productivity.
Represented by the Director, Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services (FDAES), Mr. Ayodele Olawumi, he noted that the training aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes food security, farmer empowerment, and climate-smart agriculture.
Sen Kyari highlighted that the Agenda championed by the Ministry “is firmly anchored on the belief that Nigeria must feed itself and prosper through Agriculture.
“It places Agriculture at the centre of national development by prioritising food security, empowering farmers at the grassroots through training, extension services, and access to modern technologies, promoting climate-smart and resilient agricultural practices, and creating jobs while driving rural prosperity and economic growth.” He added.
To achieve this, Sen Kyari disclosed that the Ministry has: Distributed critical agricultural inputs to farmers nationwide for timely access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals; Strengthened extension services and institutions to better serve farmers and also expanded partnerships with development agencies and the private sector to mobilize investments for agricultural modernization.
He emphasized that the irrigation programme, which is championed by the FDAES, is part of the Ministry’s efforts to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector into a modern, resilient, and inclusive engine of national development.
The Minister added that 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.
According to him, the programme will also strengthen organised farmer groups, build community resilience, and ensure food sovereignty in the country.
Sen Kyari revealed that 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.
He pointed out that “water remains the lifeblood of agriculture’, highlighted that “With the adoption of simple irrigation facilities, farmers are better positioned to extend their farming activities beyond the rainy season, diversify crop production, increase yields, improve household income and food availability, and contribute meaningfully to the national goal of food self-sufficiency under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He expressed the Ministry’s commitment towards the replication of this model in other parts of the country in order to promote sustainable agricultural practices and food security nationwide.
While commending stakeholders and partners for their contributions towards the success of the programme, Sen Kyari called on the Dogaroda-Kai SHEP Farmers’ Group to learn and adopt the innovation methods so as to cascade the knowledge garnered into making Nasarawa State a hub of sustainable agricultural productivity in the country.
In his remarks, Secretary, Dogaroda-kai SHEP Farmers, Yusuf Mohammed pledged that the farmers leverage the knowledge acquired from the training as well as increase productivity and livelihoods.
Highlights of the event were official handover of a manual water pump to the SHEP farmers Group by the Director Agricultural Extension Services.
Signed
Ezeaja Ikemefuna
Head, Department of Information
4/2/2026
