Nigerians have been asked to take the lead in securing adequate quality water for secure crop production in order to achieve food security, poverty alleviation, as well as job and wealth development.
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources’ Director of Irrigation and Drainage, Mrs. Esther Oluniyi, gave the advice during a training and awareness-raising session on the involvement of women and young people in irrigated agriculture.
The Middle Ogun Irrigation Project site in Iseyin, Oyo State, served as the location of the one-day awareness session.
It was organized by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in collaboration with Ogun Osun River Basin Development Authority.
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources’ Director of Irrigation and Drainage, Mrs. Esther Oluniyi, addressed the participants, most of whom were women and young people, and stated that the workshop’s goal was to educate and inspire Nigerians about the need to adopt appropriate and safe practices when discharging waste products.
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources’ Director of Irrigation and Drainage, Mrs. Esther Oluniyi, addressed the participants, most of whom were women and young people, and stated that the workshop’s goal was to educate and inspire Nigerians about the need to adopt appropriate and safe practices when discharging waste products.
Mrs. Oluniyi highlighted that practices like indiscriminate solid waste disposal and open defecation inside of irrigation facilities would have the impact of making the water unfit for use in irrigated agriculture.
She added that if irrigated agriculture was allowed to thrive, farming activities in the country would not be limited to only rainy seasons.
“Women and Youths are hugely involved directly or indirectly in the use of water in homes for domestic purposes such as cooking, bathing and washing. Women and Youths also get engaged in irrigated agriculture either for commercial or subsistence purposes.”
“Once again, in our strong efforts to achieve food security, poverty alleviation, job and wealth creation through sustainable irrigated agriculture, I call on everyone particularly the women and the youth to be at the forefront of promoting the attainment of good quality water in our canals and reservoirs for safe Crop Production through irrigation. I also enjoin all Community Leaders to encourage all community members to desist from inappropriate practices when using water for various purposes. They need to stop washing, defecating, bathing and dumping of solid wastes in irrigation structures, including, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and other water bodies”.
“It is expected that you will all participate actively in this workshop and grasp more knowledge on the needs, appropriate and safe practices to adopt while discharging wastes in order not to compromise the quality and suitability of water meant for irrigation”.
In separate interviews, two of the participants, Magaji Hummu and Adewoyin Victoria commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for the workshop and promised to champion the cause for safe water for their farming exploits.
The workshop also featured a technical session on the role of gender participation for sustainable irrigation water management.
