Kano, FG Move To Expand Irrigation Infrastructure For Year-Round Farming

The Kano State Government and the Federal Government are expanding irrigation infrastructure as part of efforts to increase food production and strengthen farmers’ livelihoods across the state.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf stated this while inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of the Kafinchiri Dam, a Federal Government-backed project being implemented in collaboration with the state government.

Yusuf said the project would allow more farmers to engage in year-round cultivation, particularly during the dry season, while creating additional economic opportunities in farming communities.

He also called for faster completion of the project and urged the contractor to maintain the required standards in executing the work.

The Kafinchiri Dam was originally constructed in 1976 for irrigation but has remained largely underutilised, according to Senator Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South and accompanied the governor during the inspection.

Sumaila said the dam is one of three facilities selected for rehabilitation and irrigation development through funding from the Ecological Project Office.

He said restoring the dam’s irrigation capacity would enable farmers in surrounding communities to expand dry-season farming and increase agricultural output.

The development comes as Kano seeks to strengthen irrigation farming as a means of improving food security and reducing the dependence of farmers on rainfall.