The rehabilitation of the Ifite-Ogwari water pumping station in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State is expected to unlock more than 2,000 hectares of farmland for year-round agricultural production.
The Federal Government handed over the project to the Anambra State Government to boost rice production, improve food security and increase farmers’ income through all-season farming.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the restored irrigation infrastructure would enable farmers to cultivate crops beyond the rainy season.
The minister was represented by the National Programme Coordinator of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase One (ATASP-1), Dr Mohammed Arabi.
He said the project marks another major step in the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise agriculture and make farming more productive and profitable.
“For years, farmers depended largely on rain-fed agriculture, limiting productivity and exposing them to climate-related challenges.
“With this irrigation infrastructure fully restored, farmers can now engage in multiple planting cycles annually and improve yields and income,” he stated.
Dr Arabi explained that the project would not only increase food production but also stimulate rural industrialisation, create employment opportunities for youths and support agribusinesses involved in processing, storage and marketing.
Also speaking, the Zonal Programme Coordinator of ATASP-1, Mr Romanus Egba, said the pumping station would supply irrigation water through a 40.1-kilometre lined concrete canal network covering extensive farmlands within the Ayamelum agricultural corridor.
Encouragement for dry-season farming
He noted that the development would encourage dry-season farming, improve crop yields and strengthen food security in the area.
“The pumping station is a critical component of the irrigation system serving the Ayamelum agricultural corridor.
“Its rehabilitation became necessary after years of deterioration that disrupted water supply and farming activities,” Mr Egba added.
Chairman of the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority, Chief Emma Anosike, assured that competent engineers would manage the facility to guarantee sustainability.
He commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for donating a 500KVA transformer to support its operations.
The traditional ruler of Ifite-Ogwari, Igwe Alphonsus Ofoebe, expressed confidence that the project would significantly improve agricultural production in the South-East region.
