Food Production: FG to develop 500,000 hectares of irrigable land – Minister

The Federal Government on Friday said it would develop 500,000 hectares of

irrigable land as part of renewed effort to boost food production in

the country.

The Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Sulaiman Adamu disclosed this at the

Special Town Hall Meeting held on Friday in Kano.

NAN reports that the meeting was organised by the Federal Government as part of

activities to celebrate the one year anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that the Federal Government found it necessary to give

priority attention to

agricultural sector in order to provide jobs to the teeming

"We have five River Basins in the country, so we plan to use the

irrigation sites to

boost food production in the state and the country," he said.

He said that the Federal Government would partner with investors with a view to

achieving the desired result.

He said that over 50 millions Nigerians lacked potable water and

assured that the

Federal Government was doing everything possible to change the ugly trend by

ensuring that Nigerians have access to safe drinking water by 2030.

"The ministry has designed a 10 year working plan which will go along way in

addressing the inadequate access to portable water," he said.

He further disclosed that the government was working to end open

defecation in the

country by 2025.

The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar said that

the Federal Government would support small and medium enterprises with loan

facility to enhance their businesses.

She said the decision was in line with the government's effort to provide job

opportunities to the people.

She noted that supporting SMEs with its multiplier effect had huge number of

people earning their livelihood in the sector.

The minister said that the support would be given with the assistance

of the Bank

of Industry.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Bawa Bwari

said that the

country has a large deposit of different solid minerals.

He, however, lamented that the previous administrations had ignored the sector

and concentrated on the oil section.

"But with commitment and seriousness of the present administration, the Buhari

administration will invite foreign investors to harness them," he said.