The Federal Government has disclosed plans to construct about 360 lakes and dams across the 36 states of the federation to enhance irrigation farming.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh disclosed this while discussing some of the 2017 plans to boost agriculture in the country. He also said the government would also distribute fertilisers and chemicals to farmers to aid the dry season cultivation.
“This year, we will work on dams, we are also going to start improving the breed of cows to improve the quality of meat, milk and cut down grazing and conflicts between herdsmen and farmers”, he informed.
Lamenting the neglect of dams in certain states, Ogbeh noted that Kano State had no fewer than 23 un-utilized dams, Oyo – 23, Ogun – 12 dams while Imo had many moribund lakes and dams, which would be cleaned up and utilized in 2017. The Federal Government would be constructing 10 lakes and dams in each of the 36 states of the federation.
Speaking further on the proposed plans for 2017, he highlighted other agricultural projects for the year such as improvement of cattle breeds, establishment of cattle colonies in states, procurement of more rice mills for distribution to communities, vegetable oil mills, tractors and improved seeds.
“We are looking at building cattle colonies in the states that are willing to give us land to confine cows in one place. We will also prioritize processing of cassava leaves, maize tusk, groundnut shells for feeding cows and slowly persuade the Fulani herdsmen to stop roaming their cows,’’ the Minister said.
He also said cashew processing factories would also be established in the country to facilitate exportation of cashew to other countries, while noting that the implementation of the plans which had been included in the 2017 budget would commence as soon as funds were disbursed.
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