Katsina signs historic MoU for 50-hectare demonstration farm at Sabke irrigation site

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding with four strategic development partners to establish a comprehensive 50-hectare demonstration farm at the Sabke irrigation site in Maiadua Local Government Area.

The landmark partnership brings together the National Agriculture Development Fund, Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRDA), and Morocco-based agricultural development experts, OCP Africa.

The high-profile delegation was led to the State Government House by Alhaji Sada Soli Jibia, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources, representing Jibia-Kaita Federal Constituency.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Governor Radda expressed profound gratitude to the federal government for selecting Katsina State as the pilot location for this innovative program.

“This project demonstrates the passion President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has for the people of Katsina State,” the Governor declared.

The Governor also emphasized that the project was conceived to develop critical infrastructure and maximize the utilization of existing facilities at the site through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.

Governor Radda noted that while Sabke Dam stands as the only site selected for this pioneering initiative, the state government remains fully committed to fulfilling all obligations outlined in the MOU.

“We are confident that our partners will equally deliver on their commitments, enabling us to achieve tangible results by next year and scale up operations after the rainy season,” Governor Radda assured stakeholders.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring year-round agricultural activities at the site, explaining that this approach will keep farmers productively engaged while optimizing the substantial resources invested in establishing the Dam, which has remained underutilized for an extended period.

In the same vein, Alhaji Sada Soli Jibia praised the quality of partners involved in the initiative, expressing confidence in the project’s success. “We will not allow this pilot program to fail, given the exceptional capacity of the partners involved,” he stated.

The federal legislator revealed exciting expansion possibilities, noting that if the program succeeds, Katsina State has additional sites including Jibia, Zobe, and Dallaje Dams where similar irrigation activities can be implemented.

Alhaji Muntaka Badaru Jikamshi, Executive Director of Irrigation Services at SRRBDA, described Sabke Dam as one of the Authority’s most important assets, taken over from the federal government in 2018.

He acknowledged that the Dam’s facilities had not been properly utilized previously, but expressed optimism that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, in partnership with the National Agriculture Development Fund and other stakeholders, will transform the situation.

“The Authority has donated 50 hectares of land for this project development and food security initiative,” Jikamshi announced.

On his part, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the National Agriculture Development Fund, revealed that his team had previously visited Katsina State on March 18th, where Governor Radda personally conducted them around the Sabke Dam site for comprehensive feasibility studies as part of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund oversight.

He explained that the visit aimed to assess SRRBDA projects generally and explore optimization opportunities for agricultural development. Ibrahim commended Governor Radda for providing extension and mechanization services to support the project’s implementation.

This historic agreement is a milestone in Governor Radda’s Building Your Future’ agricultural transformation agenda and demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in driving sustainable development.
Present at the event was the Executive Director Finance and Admin of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Dutsin ma.