By Ahmed Ahmed
Bauchi Stakeholders in Agriculture have urged the State government
to invest heavily in water infrastructure to boost irrigation farming and reduce poverty.
The Stakeholders made the call at the 2023 Interactive Forum for World Food Day organised by the Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative(FAWOYDI) with support of ActionAid on Tuesday in Bauchi
They assert that irrigation can radically change the life of a village and its inhabitants and provide food security for the community,
“irrigation can introduce off-season cultivation, thereby considerably extending the production period.
“When combined with storage and preservation capacities, it can allow a community to provide off-season products at distinctly more profitable prices,” he said.
Mrs Dinatu Daniel, Executive Director of FAWOYDI said that access to clean water is a fundamental human right which plays a crucial role in ensuring food security.
She said that the availability of clean water is essential for agricultural activities, food production and the overall well-being of individuals and communities.
According to her, contaminated water sources can cause waterborne diseases, leading to malnutrition and other health complications that can affect food security and overall human development.
She stressed that by ensuring access to clean water, people can improve sanitation and hygiene practices, thereby reducing the risk of disease transmission and promoting better nutrition.
“There is a need to seriously consider investing heavily in irrigation farming as it has the potential to boost the country’s food security that will translate into meaningful development,” Daniel said.
On her part, Hajiya Marka Abass, the state Coordinator of Smallholder Women Farmers of Nigeria (SWOFON) said that women farmers carry out about 80 per cent of agricultural production and 60 per cent of agricultural processing activities.
She explained that the demand of SWOFON includes creating budget lines for funding and implementation of the National Gender policy by the Bauchi state government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Also Speaking, Mr Isyaku Hashimu,
Principal Chemical Engineer with the State Urban Water Sewerage Corporation(BSUWSC) warned residents against throwing waste products in drainages, wells and water waste as well as the over-use of pesticides.
The Stakeholders include women Smallholder farmers, government officials, Civil Society Organizations, Farmers, and Media among others.