Nigerian government launches irrigation and erosion control projects in Kano

The Federal Government of Nigeria started a series of ecological and agricultural projects in Kano State to help farmers manage water during the dry season and protect communities from flooding and erosion.

The Ecological Project Office managed the initiative, which combines flood control, road improvements, and irrigation infrastructure. These actions aim to support rural livelihoods by making farmland productive even when it does not rain.

The project includes 32 entries for erosion control and flood mitigation, such as building bridges and culverts in areas like Sumaila and Kibiya. These structures aim to repair damaged roads and protect homes from gully erosion. The government also launched a watershed management programme that provides 5,380 tubewells and 5,380 pumping machines to 16,140 households across several local government areas. The office claims these watershed projects have reached an average completion rate of 99.7 per cent.

For irrigation, the government is developing three dam schemes to cover nearly 1,280 hectares of land. The Tiga Dam project provides 875 hectares across three sectors, including Yakasai, Gawama, and Guriya. The Challawa-Gorge Dam covers 240 hectares, and the Kafin Chiri Dam covers 164.91 hectares. These schemes use a network of main, distribution, and field canals to deliver water to fields. The government expects these projects to improve food security, create jobs, and increase agricultural production for local farmers.