Heifer drives irrigation farming, distributes solar-powered pumps to Nasarawa farmers

Heifer International Nigeria, a development organisation, working to end hunger and poverty across the world, has inaugurated 160 solar-powered pumping machines for distribution to smallholder farmers for its pilot project in Nasarawa State.

The support to the 160 farmer beneficiaries was to enable them embark on aggressive agricultural farming and investment in order to ensure all-year-round irrigation farming, thereby boosting food production in the State and helping President Bola Tinubu’s agenda on food security and agricultural industrialisation.

Lekan Tobe, Country Director of Heifer International, who spoke at the inauguration of the organisation’s outfit in Lafia, the Nasarawa State Capital, said the provision of the pumping machines was to empower smallholder farmers and to encourage them adopt world best practices of irrigation farming.

He said, the pilot project would also enable farmers test the effectiveness and efficiency of the technology-driven farming system.

According to the Country Director, the initiative is prompted by the high cost of fuel, which led many smallholder farmers to abandon irrigations.

“A lot of farmers usually rely on fuel-powered water pumps, but with the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government in 2024, fuel has become unaffordable for small holder farmers.

“The solar-powered pump offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution to this challenge and will help increase productivity,” he said.

Respomding, Governor Abdullahi Sule thanked Heifer International Nigeria for aligning with his administration’s quest to promote agriculture and ensure food security in the State.

Umar Abdullahi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, who stood in for the governor, expressed optimism that the technology would increase the income of farmers, increase production and reduce high cost of food.

He reiterated the administration’s willingness to partner any organisation interested in promoting agriculture for the overall development of the State.

Also, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Managing Director of the Nasarawa State Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA), who was represented by Fatima Zakari, said the deployment of solar-powered pumping machines would promote dry-season farming.

“It will also promote sustained agricultural practice and ensure food security in Nasarawa State”, he said..

The NASIDA Boss then encouraged farmers to embrace the technology, as it would reduce cost of production by more than 50% given the fact that the power source, the sun, is free.

He applauded Heifer International Nigeria for the initiative to empower rural farmers and communities in the State, urging other organisations to emulate them.