Lead Consultant, IFAD-VCPD on irrigation, Mr Akibu Ahmed has disclosed that the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) have trained officials on construction of canal for irrigation farming.
According to NAN, Ahmed, who stated this during a practical session of the five day training in Minna said, “We are gathered here to train on irrigation techniques. After the training, the officials will go back to their states to train farmers on how they can plan and construct irrigation for their farms”.
Ahmed said that the training was meant for irrigation engineers and agricultural production officers attached to the programme in the six participating states which include Niger, Taraba, Ogun, Anambra, Benue and Ebonyi.
According to him, the training would expose the trainees to modern techniques in establishing a canal for irrigation purpose.
He said that the programme discovered that wet season cultivation of rice alone could not bring rice farmers out of poverty adding, “The idea is to boost production for the farmers which will increase their income thereby eradicating poverty among them”.
Speaking, VCDP Coordinator in Niger, Dr Mathew Ahmed, said that the current Additional Financing in the VCDP gives priority to cultivation of dry season rice.
