Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has officially launched the multi-billion-naira Kano River Irrigation Scheme (KRIS), a key component of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project (TRIMING). This significant development took place in Bunkure LGA of Kano.
Prof. Osinbajo, during the commissioning, highlighted the project’s innovative nature, emphasizing its potential to provide life-changing opportunities to farming communities involved in the project. The scheme is also designed to optimally utilize the nation’s water resources infrastructure, some of which were built over 40 years ago but have yet to be utilized.
The project is set to benefit basin stakeholders, irrigation and drainage entities, water users’ associations, farmers, and rural dwellers in the project areas. With direct infrastructure investments spanning approximately 37,500 hectares across six states, the initiative is expected to impact around 140,000 farm families, benefiting about 1 million people.
Osinbajo affirmed that the inauguration of KRIS is a testament to the Buhari Administration’s commitment to enhancing the living conditions of Nigerian communities. The project aims to revolutionize the local agricultural economy and boost food security in Nigeria by empowering farmers to farm all year round.
The Vice President explained that the TRIMING project’s primary objective is to increase the productivity of 140,000 farmers in and around the rehabilitated irrigation schemes in Northern Nigeria, including Bakolori Irrigation Scheme in Zamfara State, Middle Rima Irrigation Scheme in Sokoto State, Kano River Irrigation Scheme, and Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme in Jigawa state. In addition, the project offers technical assistance to farmers at each irrigation scheme and promotes strong linkages along the agricultural value chains.
In concluding remarks, Osinbajo commended Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for their relentless efforts and collaboration, ensuring the project’s completion. The Governor expressed gratitude for the Federal Government’s commitment to executing various developmental projects in Kano State, transforming it into a hub of trade and commerce in West Africa. He added that the irrigation scheme would significantly benefit the farming communities and related businesses in Kano State.
