The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlunum Utsev, has flagged-off the 2023/2024 Dry Season Farming, aimed at boosting food production and security in Nigeria.
Prof. Utsev while flagging-off the farming season at the Headquarters of the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORDA) at Obayantor in Edo State also commissioned a 1.2Km road leading to BORDA and unveiled the 2021 and 2022 Hydrological Year Books published by the authority.
He said that the dry season farming is in fulfilment of the charge of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s to his ministry through the River Basins Development Authorities to activate 500,000 hectares of irrigable land for continuous farming to feed the nation’s teeming population.
“Today, we shall commission the Access Road to the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority Headquarters in Obayantor, unveil the 2021 and 2022 Hydrological Year Books published by the authority and flag-off the 2023/2024 Dry Season Farming through irrigation to boost food production in the country.
“I want to use this platform to call on all the 12 River Basins under my Ministry to commence the 2024/2024 Dry Season Farming round the country.
“I also want to appeal to all communities and states governments to make available lands to our River Basins, they are the ones that have the mandate and capacity to provide water that is needed for the dry season farming.
“We are providing the water that is being required for the dry season farming to our farmers and our commercial practitioners that are partnering with us in line with the food security agenda of Mr. President”, he said.
Speaking on the importance of the access road to the BORDA headquarters and the hydrological year books, the Minister said that the construction of the road is importance to the Authority and the host community which according to him would enhance the overall efficiency of operations of the Authority.
On the hydrological year book, Utsev said: “Hydrological data is necessary for the planning, designing, construction and management of water projects. It is also important for food and drought forecasting and construction of flood protection structures.
“Given the persistent flood challenges experienced throughout the country, the need to ensure reliable and accurate hydrological data has become imperative.
“The Hydrological Year Book contains vital information such as river gauge, river flows, rainfall patterns , groundwater levels and other hydrological information”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director, Benin-Owena River Basins Development Authorities, Engr. Saliu Osifuemhe Ahmed, explained that data is crucial for planing and in recognition of the BORDA’s role in the development, management and conservation of water resources within it basins, meteorological and river gauging stations.
He maintained that with the various data obtained from his BORDA rivers across Edo, Delta and Ondo states, the authority is poised to be the reference point for planners, consultants, researchers, agriculturists, and other stakeholders in the water sector.
“These data put us in good stead to avail the public relevant information on operational hydrology that is able to inform about food, drought and water resources management in an effective and efficient way, and improve global knowledge of the hydrological cycle”, he said.
