As part of efforts aimed at ensuring that Nigeria attains its food security dream, Heifer Nigeria has launched a solar powered irrigation pump to replace the fossil fuel pumps used by majority of farmers across the country.
The firm’s Country Director, Dr. Lekan Tobe, who disclosed this in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said the move was prompted by the Federal Government’s subsidy removal on petrol, which jerked up the price of the commodity.
He noted that many farmers across the country have abandoned the fossil fuel irrigation pumps as a result of the high cost of petroleum products, urging the benefiting farmers of the initiative to adhere strictly to the conditions attached and must comply with the 50 per cent equity and interest and link up with the off takers.
“We believe in empowering farmers, farmers should also empower heifers by keeping to the condition of the agreement.”
He pointed out that the newly introduced irrigation pump is a pilot scheme, which has been launched in two other states, adding that the innovation is organic and will help boost the soil fertility, as well as capable of ensuring pets’ resistance.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director, Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Abeokuta, Adedeji Ashiru, disclosed that the initiative came at a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared his agenda for food production and food security in Nigeria.
He stated that agriculture holds the key to addressing many of the global challenges faced today, noting that it is through collective efforts that the country can create a future where agriculture is not only a means of sustenance, but as a catalyst for economic growth, social development, as well as environmental stewardship.
Represented by the Executive Director, Agric Service, Mr. Alamu Noah, Ashiru noted that the initiative represents a profound commitment to equipping the farmers with practical agricultural skills, fostering their understanding of modern farming techniques, and instilling in them a deep sense of responsibility.
“It is through initiatives like this that we can cultivate a sustainable generation that is self-reliant to address the challenges facing our agricultural sector.”
The Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority boss explained that as part of the agency’s contribution to food security, it has more than 30 farmers-based project sites with a land area of more than 14,785 hectares, which are installed with dams and different irrigation system like Sprinkler, Central Pivot Irrigation System (CPIS) and Flooding Irrigation System that covers more than 2,000 hectares for food production all year round, to produce crops like maize, watermelon, cucumber, pepper, vegetables, okra and cassava.
