New HJRBDA MD unveils plans to boost irrigation in three northern states

Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, the newly appointed Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), has unveiled ambitious plans to boost irrigation coverage and paddy rice production in Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi.

Bichi announced that the authority aims to increase irrigation coverage from 54,000 to 240,000 hectares, which is expected to raise paddy rice production from 216,000 tonnes to one million tonnes. He also pledged to implement major reforms across agriculture, water resource management, and youth empowerment, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The new MD projected a 30% year-on-year increase in crop yield through the adoption of modern farming practices and improved irrigation technologies. He also emphasized the importance of youth empowerment, revealing plans to train at least 5,000 young people in various agricultural fields.

Bichi introduced a series of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to guide operations over the next four years, including a 20% boost in water-use efficiency through Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and optimized irrigation systems. He also announced plans to collaborate with institutions such as the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to support farmers and trainees.

The HJRBDA boss pledged to improve community satisfaction by ensuring 85% satisfaction among local stakeholders through inclusive planning and a comprehensive basin management strategy. He also expressed support for the “Every Home a Garden” initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing it as a transformative movement aligned with HJRBDA’s core mission.

Bichi emphasized the importance of cooperation and collaboration, stating that his administration would focus on building trust and efficiency within the organization. He acknowledged the efforts of the previous leadership, assuring that while impactful initiatives would be continued, necessary improvements would be made where needed.

The Managing Director extended appreciation to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, whose support he described as vital to advancing the administration’s agricultural vision.