The Jigawa State government is set to introduce a drip irrigation system as part of its efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change in food production.
Alhaji Ibrahim Garba, the Commissioner for Water Resources, announced this in Dutse, stating that the objective is to mitigate climate change-related challenges and reduce the production costs of food items.
Garba explained that the new drip irrigation system is more cost-effective and efficient compared to the prevalent flood irrigation system currently practised in the state and other regions. According to him, this system could increase crop output by up to 60% per acre while also lowering farming costs.
He emphasized that the advantages of adopting drip irrigation extend beyond water efficiency and include addressing the productivity gaps resulting from constant flooding and drought-related climate change issues in the state.
Furthermore, this method will enable farmers to reduce the use of fertilizers and water in their irrigation farmlands while increasing production output.
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone of crops, minimizing water wastage and helping farmers use water more efficiently, thereby overcoming water shortage challenges. In recent years, Jigawa has faced difficulties due to flooding and drought caused by climate change, prompting the state government, under the leadership of Governor Umar Namadi, to seek innovative solutions to address these challenges.
The state government plans to introduce drip irrigation in each Emirate centre, establishing demonstration farms to allow irrigation farming communities to learn and potentially adopt the new system.
Garba assured farmers that they would benefit from this innovative idea due to its efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and the significant growth in yields it offers.
He also pointed out that if adopted by all farmers in the state, Jigawa would lead the way in revolutionizing agriculture in the country. Furthermore, the adoption of drip irrigation will alleviate the water scarcity issues that rice farmers faced during the recent rainy season.
Alhaji Ibrahim Garba added that the state is working on transitioning from traditional irrigation methods to drip irrigation, which will reduce the high costs associated with fueling machines for pumping irrigation water, lower fertilizer usage, and increase yields.
He highlighted his visits to Morocco, Spain, India, and China, where he observed how drip irrigation had transformed agricultural communities with significant advantages.
The Commissioner stressed that the state government is fully committed to adopting this innovative irrigation method to meet 100% of the irrigation water demand in the state.
This move represents a proactive approach to addressing climate change challenges and ensuring food security in Jigawa State.
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