Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi has pledged stronger collaboration with the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) to curb seasonal flooding and open up thousands of hectares for irrigation farming. Speaking at the Government House in Dutse on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by HJRBDA’s Managing Director, Engr. Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi, the governor said the Hadejia Valley alone holds vast agricultural potential of 24,000 hectares in total, with only 6,000 developed so far. “With the remaining 18,000 hectares brought into full cultivation, the volume of land going into production will be remarkable. This will transform livelihoods across our communities,” Namadi said. Read Also: FG to Establish Cattle Breeding Centres Across Six Geopolitical Zones He revealed that discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had already taken place on developing an additional 6,000 hectares through international funding, with a formal request submitted to the Minister of Water Resources. Namadi also outlined a plan to revive 10 abandoned dams, two through the SPIN project, three via ACReSAL, and five directly by the state government. The initiative is expected to add about 4,500 hectares to the state’s irrigated farmland. In addition, he highlighted the success of the Lalashi industrial borehole scheme, which prevented more than 120 households from migrating in search of work. Similar projects, he said, would soon be launched in Gajagarma, Dutse, and four local government areas under Gumel Emirate. On the flood menace, the governor described it as “critical and worrisome,” noting that Jigawa had constructed 120 kilometres of embankments and cleared 70 kilometres of Typha grass to ease water flow. Earlier, Engr. Bichi praised the state government’s support in clearing Typha grass and restoring waterways, which he said had significantly reduced flooding. “The governor’s commitment has been instrumental in restoring our canals and improving water management for the benefit of our farmers,” he said. Bichi disclosed that HJRBDA plans to expand irrigation by 6,500 hectares in Jigawa, with presidential approval already in place for key projects, including the Greater Dutse Water Supply Scheme and repairs to the Hadejia Barrage. He added that farmers currently cultivate 5,440 hectares under the authority’s schemes, producing an estimated 220,000 metric tonnes of crops such as wheat, rice, maize, tomato, and vegetables worth over ₦154.4 billion annually. According to him, the 2025 budget provides more than ₦28 billion for HJRBDA projects in Jigawa, in addition to ₦59 billion already allocated for the Greater Dutse Water Supply, small earth dams, erosion control, and new irrigation initiatives.
