Beyond the Rains: Kano Farmers Weigh the Promise of Reliable Water
Better access to irrigation and roads is opening possibilities for farming communities in Kano. Turning those opportunities into dependable livelihoods will require sustained training, effective maintenance and fair access to
Beyond the rains, Kano farmers are discovering the potential of reliable water access. In Kumfada, Garko Local Government Area, farmers such as Femi Adebayo Faruku Musa Haruna have pooled resources to create a water-saving system using plastic sheets. This innovation allows them to continue farming even during periods of scarce rainfall.
While this development offers hope, the success of these efforts depends on the continuous provision of training, maintenance, and equitable access to water. Haruna emphasizes the importance of water in enabling farmers to maintain their farming ambitions beyond the rainy season.
The federal government's intervention around Tiga, Challawa Gorge, and the Kafin Chiri dams aims to enhance irrigation infrastructure, control erosion, improve road conditions, and provide agricultural support. The Ecological Project Office oversees this initiative, with contractors handling civil works and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture offering agricultural technical assistance.
While the impact of these efforts extends beyond Kano, the success of increased harvests will depend on whether farmers can cover the costs associated with additional crops before experiencing improved household finances. Improved water access may also reduce the need for farmers to migrate for work during off-seasons, potentially altering employment dynamics.
However, access to water does not guarantee increased income. Factors such as seed, fertiliser, labor, and transportation costs still play a role in determining profitability. Professor Lucky Osabuohien Omoigui, a plant breeding and genetics specialist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture’s Kano station, underscores the need for farmers to receive training on effectively utilizing the irrigation infrastructure.
Omoigui's institute has provided water, crop, and soil fertility management training to 1,890 beneficiaries, including 501 smallholder farmers who received practical training. Eight farmer field schools and 86 demonstration plots offer hands-on experience for farmers to test new techniques and varieties in their local conditions.
Despite initial enthusiasm, Omoigui emphasizes that the long-term effectiveness of these interventions depends on whether farmers adopt the recommended practices and whether the benefits persist over multiple growing seasons. Farmers must consider the potential depletion of soil fertility from repeated cultivation of cereals and explore cereal-legume rotations and appropriate fertiliser management to maintain productivity.
Training must extend beyond the initial provision of water, covering planting decisions, suitable varieties, fertiliser use, and land management practices. Additionally, farmers need reliable access to the necessary inputs to implement the lessons learned from demonstrations. Ultimately, the success of these interventions will be measured by the extent to which farmers can sustain their improved farming practices independently after the initial support has ended.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
