Dr. Dauda Abdullahi, Permanent Secretary of Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resource said that harnessing the nation’s irrigation potential is the key to its food security. He also said that it would be difficult for the country to meet its food needs by depending only on rainfall

He also said that farmers, who planted after the first rains, might lose everything as their plants are withering due to the lack of rains.

 “This has been the trend for the past few years as the effects of climate change continue to adversely affect the country’s agriculture sector.

With climate change, everything is uncertain. We can no longer determine when the rain will commence and when it will cease. The only way out is irrigation.

“We really need to develop our irrigation system, if we intend to explore our agricultural potential.” he said.

He said that irrigation would improve the nation’s agricultural output and conveniently feed the country.

 Abdullahi also said that Bauchi State had 182,000 hectares of land suitable for irrigation, adding that so far, only 15,000 of that land was being explored.

“If farmers do not adopt the use of irrigation systems, then the issue of food security will always remain a thorn in the flesh for the nation. Irrigation is the way to go. If we want to talk about serious agriculture, then farmers should embrace irrigation.”

He said that in a bid to encourage irrigation farming in the state, the Gov. Isa Yuguda led- administration was supporting farmer with subsidised inputs.

“The state is providing farmers with subsidised irrigation water pumps, fertiliser, seeds, agro-chemicals and farm machinery services as well as agricultural extension services.”

Abdullahi called on dry season farmers to always seek professional advice from agricultural extension officers and other professionals to optimise their production potential.