‘Kano Dam renovation will lift thousands out of poverty’

At least 5000 smallholder farmers in Kano State, Northern Nigeria, will have their lives and businesses significantly improved starting from July when the renovation of the Watari Dam will be completed.

Another 1000 jobs are also to be created around communities in Bagwai and Bichi local councils following the first major repairs of the dam and its downstream infrastructure since their construction between 1977 and 1980.

The Watari Dam is being renovated as part of the five-year Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project, which has received about US$90 million from the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF). LLF’s goal is to help the most vulnerable “lead better lives and realise their full potential.”

The fund is maintained by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and renewed with grants from donor organisations that include Abu Dhabi Fund for Development; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development; King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre; and Qatar Fund for Development.

Through the Watari Dam Renovation, LLF aims to lift the most vulnerable population in Kano State out of poverty by helping to increase their capacity in crops and livestock production, commercialisation and distribution.

“This Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project is an ideal fit for the LLF, as we believe the most effective way to lift people out of poverty is to empower countries and communities to sustain their programs and do so themselves,” said Dr. Waleed Ahmad J. Addas, who Heads the fund.

So far, the LLF has approved the financing of at least 29 development projects across the Muslim world to the tune of USD 1.5 billion as at May 2021.

The restoration of the 40-year-old dilapidated dam began in January with the repair of gully erosion on its embankment, repair and desilting of main canal and drainages, as well as desilting and repair of the night storage reservoir. The first phase of the renovation has already been concluded with the entire project expected to be completed by the end of July.

Dr. Addas said the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project would enhance food security at a time when clashes between farming and pastoral communities are threatening Nigeria’s security.

According to him, LLF’s Impact Committee approved funding for the project to ensure the opening up of traditional livestock routes and grazing corridors to reduce the disputes between farmers and livestock pastoralists.

The project has already established a stock routes demarcation and management committee, which is chaired by the Director of the Kano State Agricultural Development Authority, and also engaged a consultant to design the stock route to realise its objective of reducing farmer-herder clashes.

It will also create 2,000 hectares of grazing land and map 1,950 km of major and minor stock routes.
Both the agriculture sector and the overall economy of Kano State are expected to get a boost with the implementation of the five-year Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project. LLF estimates that 230,000 million tons of incremental fodder and 25 million liters of milk will be produced annually as additional outcomes of the project.

The LLF boss also assured that the development project would provide jobs for at least 1000 youths in Kano State. He said the project employed labour within the state, purchased goods and services locally and trained farmers on best agronomic practices to boost the economy and enhance the livelihood of small businesses and individuals in the course of the implementation.
The Lives and Livelihoods Fund, which focuses on projects in agriculture, healthcare and basic infrastructure, is exploring other areas it can support in Nigeria’s development.