Minister of Water Resources flagged off dry season farming in Benue State

Prof. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, officially opened Benue State’s 2023–2024 dry season farming on Wednesday.

The Federal Government aims to have 500,000 hectares of arable land in Mbaku, Makurdi, by 2024, according to the minister who conducted the ceremony there.

According to Utsev, President Bola Tinubu gave the ministry instructions to make sure that 500,000 hectares of arable land were used as efficiently as possible in 2024.

The minister claims that in accordance with the president’s well-known hope agenda, all 12 of the nation’s river basins will be completely exploited by 2024.

In order to strengthen the nation’s food production and economy, he added, the majority of the basins had been partially commercialised.

According to the minister, there won’t be enough land for irrigated farming in 2024 on the 1,500 hectares of land at the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority Makurdi farm in the Mbaku community.

Reiterating the ministry’s determination to fulfil its mandate, he urged investors to put money into the nation’s water sector.

“We have all the equipment set up to make sure there is no justification for us to not increase agriculture in this nation.

“We have started to partially commercialise the nation’s twelve river basins. Investors are now being invited to join forces with us.

We’re going to provide farmers with some incentives today, like water pumps, to help and inspire them in their farming.

“Today, as we plant symbolic crops, I want to reassure the famers that we are prepared to stand by them, collaborate with them, and assist them in overcoming obstacles so that food will be accessible to all Nigerians,” he added.

According to the minister, farmers would also receive better seedlings and technical assistance from the government.

Prior to this, the host community was thanked for their cooperation by Engr. Mohammed Addra, Managing Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, Makurdi, who also pledged to keep working with them.

The minister opened the Lessel Dam basin’s Geographic Information System and Soil Laboratory during his tour, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

As part of the Federal Government’s Graduates/Youths Empowerment Programme, he also gave starter packs and certificates to the fifth batch of graduates.

Along with seeing Songhai Model Farm, the rice mill, the minister also gave some farmers water pumps and other inputs to the graduates.