RIVER BASIN TO INTRODUCE SOLAR-POWERED IRRIGATION PUMPS IN KWARA 15-10-23
By Sadiq Aminu The Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority Ilorin, says it would introduce solar power irrigation pumps in its operations to strengthen dry season farming in the country and ensure food security.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a three-day training programme for selected staff in different categories, held in Ilorin, the managing director of the authority, Dr. Adeniyi Aremu, said that the purpose is to ensure food sufficiency and achieve reduction in food prices.
He said the authority would change all it’s irrigation pumps to solar powered pumps to reduce over dependent on petrol.
Dr. Aremu, said that the training programme is aimed at improving the capacity of staff to perform set objectives, mission, visions and mandate of the authority.
He explained that the selected staff that received the training “would in turn train field workers as well as ordinary farmers in their local languages.
Dr.Aremu noted that the idea is to increase capacity of farmers,and reduce cost of food production.
In his remark a resource persons at the programme, Engineer Ayodele Adesina, said that the emphasis of the training is social strengthening, adding that the focus is on team collaboration and information sharing.