The Federal Government has inaugurated construction of the Bela Dam and a pilot drip irrigation scheme for sweet potato (kaukau) farming in Bichi, Kano State, as part of efforts to tackle flooding, enhance water security, and drive agricultural growth.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Professor Joseph Otsev at the foundation-laying ceremony in Bela community on Tuesday, described the £multi-million multipurpose dam – with a 775,000 cubic metre capacity – as a “major milestone” in sustainable water management.
The project aims to curb perennial floods while supporting irrigation, drinking water, fisheries, and livestock in the area.
Minister Utsev said it would “improve livelihoods, boost food production and expand economic opportunities” for locals, aligning with national goals for climate resilience.
He called on the community to protect the site, adding: “As a nation, we can transform our water resources into powerful drivers of prosperity, food sufficiency and national development.”
The Minister also launched the kaukau drip irrigation pilot in Kaukau village, planting crops alongside Engr Suleiman Yusuf Bichi, managing director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA).
NewsQuest reports that the initiative underscores practical steps towards nationwide food self-sufficiency under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
HJRBDA’s Bichi thanked Tinubu and Utsev for their “bold initiatives and unwavering support” in strengthening farming output.
According to a statement by the Director Information and PR in the Ministry Funmi Imuetinyan, Professor Utsev was accompanied by senior officials including Emmanuel Agbir (permanent secretary representative), Engr Christy Oduh (river basin operations director) and Engr Mrs Oyeronke Oluniyi (irrigation and drainage director).
Local village heads, youth, women and farmers attended.
The projects come amid Nigeria’s push to revitalise agriculture in the face of climate challenges and rising food import costs.
