FG to open up 200 dams for irrigation – Ogbeh

Minister of agriculture and rural development, Audu Ogbeh, has said that the Federal Government plans to open up over 200 under- utilised dams to boost irrigation across Nigeria.

Ogbeh said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of the largest poultry farm in sub-Saharan Africa, located in Kaduna.

Ogbeh, who was presented by executive director operation at the ministry, Obinna Okpara, said the government also planned to focus on exploring local and foreign market for farmers, and emphasis would be on poultry, beef, milk, goat and sheep, which were in very high demand in Nigeria and beyond.

The minister reiterated the resolve of the government to ensure food self-sufficiency in the country.

He said government’s vision for the revival of agriculture sector between 2016-2020 was to transform the sector into a viral engine of growth and accelerated national development.

“The overwhelming goal of the road map is to build an agricultural business economy capable of meeting our domestic food security, generate export to broaden national revenue base. This is to support sustainable income through wealth creation, promotion of entrepreneurship for fostering youth employment and enhancing national productivity,” he said.

Under the road map, Nigeria anticipates self-sufficiency in local staples within 36 months in rice, maize, millet, wheat, legumes and soya beans production, he said.

According to him, this would help achieve import substitution and significantly stabilise and reduce the high import bill currently being generated on food items.