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VP Osinbajo commissions KRIS, said the scheme will transform farming communities in Kano

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN today inaugurated a multi-billion-naira Kano River Irrigation Scheme, KRIS, which will touch at least one million lives.

A statement issued by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President, of Friday said the Buhari Administration added another feather to its cap in the agricultural sector as the initiative will transform the conditions of farming communities along the Kano River Basin.

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Initially, KRIS is a component of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project (TRIMING).

Speaking at the commissioning of the scheme in Bunkure LGA of Kano, Prof. Osinbajo said “the Project is an innovative approach adopted by the Federal Government, which has opened access to life-changing opportunities for the farming communities that are involved with the Project.

“The Project also serves as a vehicle to effectively harness the potential of vast water resources infrastructure, some of which were built well over 40 years ago but largely remained either unutilised or grossly underutilized.

“The main beneficiaries of the Project include basin stakeholders, irrigation and drainage entities, water users’ associations, farmers, and rural dwellers in the Project areas. Through the direct infrastructure investments covering about 37,500 hectares across six states, concurrent activities in agriculture and on-farm water management in these areas, approximately 140,000 farm families with about 1 million people are directly benefiting.”

Continuing, the VP noted that “today’s event is a clear demonstration of the Buhari Administration’s commitment to transform the conditions of our people in the communities of our nation’s bread basket.

He said optimizing water resources in such a way “will revolutionize the local agricultural economy and ultimately enhance the food security of the Nigerian people,” adding that the practical advantages of “unshackling our farmers from the constraints of rain-fed farming and boosting their capacity for year-round farming cannot be understated. This is precisely what we are doing through this project.”

On the objective of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project, the Vice President stated that “it is essentially to enhance the productivity of 140,000 farmers within and near the following four rehabilitated irrigation schemes in Northern Nigeria: Bakolori Irrigation Scheme in Zamfara State, Middle Rima Irrigation Scheme in Sokoto State, Kano River Irrigation Scheme and Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme in Jigawa state.

According to the VP, “the project provides technical assistance for farmers at each irrigation scheme and facilitates strong forward and backward linkages along the value chains.”

Regarding the beneficiary communities, the VP noted that having “suffered the frustration of poorly maintained water distribution facilities with the attendant losses that have ensued, it is my hope that we will now see these facilities as yours and embrace a collective responsibility of preserving them and ensuring their sustainability.”

Prof. Osinbajo then commended Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s tenacity and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, comprising the Minister and his team, which ensured that the project was completed.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Ganduje thanked the Vice President for his support and the Federal Government for its commitment to the actualisation of many impactful Federal Government projects in Kano State.

Citing roads, rail and airport projects, among others executed by the Federal Government, the Governor noted that Kano was being transformed into a centre of trade and commerce in West Africa, adding that the Irrigation Scheme would add value to farming communities and associated businesses in Kano State.

On his part, Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu commended the President and Vice President’s commitment to the actualization of many people-oriented projects across the country.

Other dignitaries at the event were the Minister of State for Works & Housing, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, Emir of Rano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Kabiru Inuwa and the Managing Director of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Alh Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu, among others.

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KNSG Lauds Kan-Invest

Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said his administration established the Kano Investment Promotion Agency and Diaspora (KAN-Invest) with a view to to facilitate investment promotion and provide investor services aimed at facilitating investment and also for fast tracking the ease of doing business for both local and foreign investors.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna stated this while launching the KAN-Invest Director General’s compendium of achievements at the Coronation Hall, Government House Kano.

He pointed out that the publication of the compendium represents a remarkable achievement by the KAN-Invest and is also a testament to the dedication of the management of the organisation.

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“The publication of this compendium and other documentaries by KAN-Invest is a milestone because these books will serve as the veritable tools for successive managements to drive the goal of the KAN-Invest agency to make Kano a prime investment destination”.

“I wish to also commend the Director General of the KAN-Invest for organizing the forum,the event is indeed an occasion to commemorate the publication of variety of documentation that are well articulated with hard-working and commitment Ganduje explained”.

Speaking the National Coordinator of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Gloria Akobundu noted that the compendium would serve as a guide for rapid development and investment opportunities to Kano and Nigeria.

While delivering her remarks the Director General of KAN-Invest, Hama Ali Aware expressed appreciation to Kano State Government for its support to the agency.

“With support from the staff we achieved some modest gains through pursuing investment promotion programmes this gathering is a commemoration of our ordinary accomplishments she said”.

Highlight of the occasion include presentation of awards to Gov. Ganduje, his wife Prof. Hafsat Ganduje, foremost Industrialist Alh. Aliko Dangote, Sen. Barau Jibrin and Chairman KAN-Invest Alh. Isyaku Umar Tofa for their contribution to the promotion of investment in Kano.

In attendance during the occasion were the Emir of Karaye Alh. Ibrahim Abubakar II, Representative Of Ministers of Water Resources and Industry, Chairman of the Coalition of Northern Chambers of Commerce Alh. Dalhatu Abubakar, Managing Director of Dala Inland Dry Alh. Ahmed Rabi’u and other stakeholders.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Hassan Musa Fagge.

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How Kano Youths Reap Lucrative Gains From Onion Farming

Youth in Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure Local Government areas of Kano State are counting positive profits from onion cultivation and selling as one of the prominent cash crop in the country.

The region is home to one of the major onion markets in Nigeria, Gun-Dutse, which has significantly contributed to the success of onion farming in the area and Northern Nigeria at large.

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Many young people in these areas have embraced onion farming as a means of livelihood and major source of their income, and the demand for onions has made it a more profitable venture where majority of the farmers in the area adopted.

The youths are investing their time and resources into onion farming and are reaping the rewards more especially during the peak period of its sale.

According to one of the onion farmers in Gun-Dutse market, Habunta said, “Onion farming has become a major source of income for me and many other youths in this area. I have been able to pay my bills and support my family from the profits I make from onion farming.”

An Online News Platform FARMERS VOICE NG gathered that the success of onion cultivation in these areas has created many employment opportunities, increased income, skill acquisition and economic growth for Gundutse village.

Reports says that lack of access to finance is a significant challenge that many youths in these areas are facing. Modern storage facilities, land security, power supply and land policies.

“Despite these challenges, the youths in Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure remain optimistic about the future of onion farming.

With the right support and investment, onion farming has the potential to transform the lives of many more youths in Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure,” Farmers Voice gathered.