The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has urged Nigerian farmers to embrace technology-driven irrigation methods to enhance food, security in the country.
IWMI is an international, research-for-development organisation, with offices in 15 countries and a global network of scientists operating in more than 55 countries for over three decades has carried out research results which has led to changes in water management that have contributed to social and economic development.
IWMI Director General, Mark Smith, made the appeal during the 6th African Regional Conference on Irrigation and Drainage which was recently held in Abuja.
The IWMI DG emphasised the need to connect farmers with critical resources which include agricultural information, technology, equipment, and financing to support necessary investments as he stressed the importance of providing farmers with efficient irrigation systems to boost productivity while ensuring access to reliable markets.
Smith called on African farmers and governments to leverage floodwater management for irrigation which will transform a recurring challenge into a valuable resource for increasing crop yields.
According to him, farmers can adopt several strategies to manage floodwater effectively like constructing small-scale rainwater harvesting systems and utilizing excess water to recharge groundwater supplies for later irrigation use.
Senior Researcher and Ghana Deputy Country Representative, Sander Zwart, while speaking on IWMI’s most impactful initiatives, highlighted digital innovation as a key driver of change.
He pointed out the IRRILine service, developed with Farmerline in Ghana, as a standout innovation which allows small-holder farmers to access irrigation advice through helpline that will guide the farmers on suitable technologies, weather patterns and agronomic inputs.
IWMI targets water and land management challenges faced by poor communities in developing countries, and through this contributes towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of reducing poverty and hunger and maintaining a sustainable environment.
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