Irrigation: FG set to empower 200 trained farmers with solar-powered pump
By Mosunmola Ayobami,Ilorin
The federal government has concluded plans to give solar-powered irrigation pumps to 200 trained farmers.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Niger River Basin Development Authority in Ilorin, Kwara state.
The authority said it was to build sustainable irrigation farming in the country and force down cost of crop production.
This initiative according to the authority, will in turn boost farming activities, reduce and put an end to the usage of petroleum products to power irrigation systems.
A cross section of dry season farmers who welcomed the development at an event organised by the (LNRBDA) to test run the pumps, said they spend about N12,000 naira to purchase fuel to irrigate one hectare of farmland per day.
This according to them, has drastically reduced the farm areas to be irrigated, thereby reducing food production.
They expressed delight that the new development would create new opportunities for farmers to increase the resilience of their crops.
The Managing Diirector of the authority, Dr. Adeniyi Aremu asserted that when farmers take cost effective irrigation systems into their own hands, they would be able to increase production.
He said the ability to secure irrigation water during the dry season would help farmers to plant staple crops such as rice for a second season and other vegetables.
According to Aremu, the authority is working with the farmers to test a number of solar powered irrigation pumps and also sensitize farmers on how to improve agricultural production, water use efficiency, water productivity as well as the sustainability of these systems.
Explaining how the solar powered pump works, Aremu, a water Engineer by training said the “solar water pump uses sunlight to generate energy and power a motor that draws water from tube wells, ponds or rivers for irrigation purposes.
He said “the solar system has an engine capacity of 1.5 horsepower(hp) with a maximum head of 15m and maximum flow 15m3/h and is being implemented in Ilala, Oke Oyi, Akerebiata, Egbejila, Giriyan and Ejiba all located in Kogi and Kwara States.
“The 3-inch pump is to provide a reliable water supply for irrigating 10-12 hectare-fields, especially during the dry season, and has the potential to reduce water wastage”.
Aremu added that new development would force down the cost of crop production drastically and also boost agricultural production in Kwara and Kogi states.
