RBDAs budgets N13bn to boost food production, irrigation

Ini Billie

The River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) said it has budgeted N13 billion to boost food production and irrigation development in 2024.

Managing Director, Hadejia-Jama’are RBDA, Mr Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu, said already, the commission has already injected about N198 billion into the economy for agricultural development including irrigation.

Speaking on the theme, “Water, Agriculture, Climate Change and Developmental Challenges in our Basins” during his keynote address at a three-day- staff retreat in Uyo, Aliyu expressed hope that irrigation development would be sustained for the wellbeing of the people.

He called for the prioritizing of irrigation development, employment generation, water supply and adequate funding, saying these would boost agricultural development and actualize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He mentioned inadequate budget envelope, non-replacement of retired staff and inadequate right staffing as some of the challenges facing the commission.

He urged management staff at the retreat to review its activities in 2023 and proffer possible solutions to emerging challenges confronting the commission.

“We have captured N13 billion for irrigation development in 2024. The RBDAs must, however, try to overcome the multiple challenges facing them through efficiency in service delivery, to be able to regain the confidence of the communities they are serving and the government in general,” he said.

On his part, Mallam Jamilu Gwangwazo, Nigeria Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, Bagaud Lake Northwest campus, Kano state, urged Nigerians to go for local recipes in agricultural production that will be more hygienic, affordable and environmentally friendly.

While presenting a paper titled, “Healthy Living Tips Recipe of Affordable and Hygienic Diet in Nigeria”, Gwangwazo urged Nigerians to embrace local food with high nutritional value.

“We want to remind people of this particular recipe, they are leaving behind, even during the time of our forefathers, they used this local recipe and they even lived healthier than the people are living nowadays.

“In terms of nutritional value, local recipes have more nutritional value than some of these foreign expensive things because they are naturally created for us. They contain all the nutrients that the body needs to function,” he stated.