Kebbi to benefit as FG rolls out northern irrigation projects

The Federal Government has commenced major irrigation projects in Kebbi State as part of broader efforts to boost food production, reduce poverty and drive inclusive economic growth across northern Nigeria.

DAILY POST gathered that the projects are being implemented under the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SUPRIN) programme, which is supported by the World Bank and coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Abuja on Friday. He explained that the initiative aims to rehabilitate, upgrade and expand existing irrigation infrastructure, while also creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in agriculture.

According to the minister, Kebbi is among the key focus states benefiting from the new wave of irrigation investments. He said the Federal Government, through its river basin development authorities, is implementing several micro-irrigation schemes in rural communities across the state to boost dry season farming and empower local farmers.

“These micro-irrigation projects are designed to improve agricultural yields, create jobs, and make farming more resilient to climate shocks,” Utsev said.

He further revealed that over 395,000 hectares of land have been identified for irrigation nationwide, out of which 154,000 hectares have already been developed and are being cultivated by more than 1.6 million farmers.

Utsev emphasized that these projects are part of long-term efforts to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector, reduce the country’s reliance on rain-fed farming, and unlock the full agricultural potential of states like Kebbi, which plays a strategic role in Nigeria’s rice and grain production.

The minister also called on private investors to take advantage of the vast irrigable land in Kebbi and other northern states by bringing in funding and technical expertise to scale up food production and agribusiness ventures.

Kebbi to benefit as FG rolls out northern irrigation projects