Basin Authority reiterates commitment to increase arable land with Irrigation facilities



The Benin – Owena River Basin Development Authority says it will ensure continuous increase of arable land with irrigation facilities in the country to allow for all year cropping.

The Managing Director of the Authority, Mr Saliu Ahmed, made the assertion when he led a delegation of top management staff on a to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo.

Ahmed said the authority was determined to partner Nigeria farmers to increase food production, enhance standard of living through the provision of irrigation infrastructure.

He said the authority was ready to collaborate with the Edo government in its drive to create employment for the teeming youth via engagement in agriculture.

He said the River Basin authority was currently embarking on irrigation projects in Edo to allow for all year farming which would boost food production in the state.

Ahmed listed some of the ongoing projects in the state to include the 5,000 hectares Ilushi-Oria-Ega irrigation project for massive rice production and the 870 hectares Obayantor project in Egor Local Government Area which would host its pilot integrated farm model in the state.

He said the authority would on April 7, flag off the construction of a comprehensive earth dam for water supply for Otuo and District in Owan East Local Government of the state.

He also solicited government’s support in securing the authority’s land in the state which was being encroached upon by host communities, land speculators and cattle herdsmen.

Gov. Obaseki appreciated the delegation for the visit stating his administration was keen on fully utilising the services of the organisation given his focus on agriculture.

Obaseki intimated the authority that more than 2,000 hectares of land in the state had been prepared for farmers and would like to partner it for this cropping season.

He said that it was imperative to take advantage of the economic recession to focus on agriculture and create success story in the sector.

The governor said that government would partner the Authority in farming at the Obayantor site to prevent encroachers.


He, thereafter, called for the setting up of a four man committee to fine tune smooth partnership with the Development Authority.  

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