The Katsina government says it will intensify efforts to provide irrigation farmers with inputs and extension services to boost agricultural productivity and create jobs for the people.

The Katsina State Irrigation Development Authority managing director, Abdulkadir Mamman-Nasir, communicated this while briefing journalists on the mandate of the newly created authority on Tuesday in Katsina.

He said the authority was created in October 2023 to improve dry-season farming and increase agricultural productivity.

According to Mr Mamman-Nasir, the government will use irrigation to touch the lives of all and sundry, as 95 per cent of the population is farmers.

He said the government would collect data from all stakeholders to enhance their operation and better serve the farmers.

Mr Mamman-Nasir said the authority would also visit irrigation sites to assess their functionality or otherwise to make them efficient.

He explained that the government would sink tube wells where necessary to ensure enough water for irrigation in Katsina.

He said they would give more emphasis to extension services to strengthen the farmers’ capacity for enhanced productivity.

Mr Mamman-Nasir said the government would provide farmers with adequate information about water usage to minimise loss due to inadequate water.

He added that such activities would assist in creating jobs for people and prevent youth from rural-urban migration.

Mr Mamman-Nasir also mentioned that the move would go a long way to reducing the insecurity challenge bedevilling the state and parts of the country.

(NAN)