By Aliyu Baba Mohammed
Two irrigation farmers in Hayin Goni, Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have appealed to the government and well-meaning individuals to support dry season farming with essential equipment to ensure all-year-round food production and prevent food crises.
Malam Abubakar Tukur and Malam Isah Ibrahim, who practice irrigation farming locally known as “lambu,” say they are currently cultivating onions, tomatoes, okra, pepper and other essential crops but lack the necessary tools to maximize their production during the dry season.
The farmers explained that relying solely on rainy season farming puts Nigeria at risk of food shortages, hunger and economic decline. They believe that with proper support for irrigation farming, the country can achieve food security and sustainability throughout the year. Malam Abubakar Tukur said in Hausa during an interaction with Dawn Herald reporter at his farm;
We need generators, water pipes and reliable water sources like boreholes or wells to access water adequately throughout the dry season. Without these things, we cannot farm at our full capacity and the country would continue to suffer food shortages
Another farmer, Malam Isah Ibrahim added that irrigation farming has the potential to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector if given proper attention;
During the rainy season, we have plenty of food. But when the rains stop, production drops and prices go up. If the government can help us with irrigation equipment, we can keep producing food all year round
The farmers’ appeal highlights a critical gap in Nigeria’s agricultural development strategy. While the country has vast arable land and a large farming population, agricultural production remains heavily dependent on seasonal rainfall. This dependence creates cycles of abundance during harvest and scarcity during the dry season.
Many countries around the world have achieved food security and agricultural prosperity through investment in irrigation systems. According to Wikipedia, Israel, despite being located in a desert region, has become an agricultural powerhouse through advanced irrigation technologies including drip irrigation and precision farming. The country exports fresh produce year-round and has developed irrigation expertise that it shares globally. Israeli irrigation technologies, such as Netafim are used worldwide.
India has invested massively in irrigation infrastructure over decades, making it one of the world’s largest food producers. The country uses a combination of canal irrigation, groundwater pumping and modern drip systems to ensure farmers can cultivate multiple crops annually regardless of rainfall patterns, especially in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, among others.
China has built extensive irrigation networks that support its position as the world’s largest agricultural producer. The country combines traditional irrigation methods with modern technology to feed over 1.4 billion people while also exporting food products globally. The proper utilization of Yellow River and Yangtze Basin systems, to the South-North Water Transfer Project make this possible.
Base on the information provided by Voice of America, the United States has transformed its agricultural heartland through irrigation, particularly in states like California, which produces a significant portion of America’s fruits and vegetables using sophisticated irrigation systems despite limited rainfall. The Ogallala Aquifer supports irrigation in the Great Plains, and western agriculture largely exists because of engineered water systems.
In Africa, Egypt relies heavily on irrigation from the Nile River to sustain its agricultural sector in an otherwise arid climate. 95% of the country is desert, despite it produces wheat, rice, cotton and vegetables throughout the year using canal and sprinkler irrigation systems that support millions of farmers.
Morocco has made significant strides in irrigation development, particularly in arid regions. The country’s heavy investment in drip irrigation and modern water management has boosted agricultural productivity and reduced dependence on unpredictable rainfall. It is greatly supported by the Green Morocco Plan (2008–2020) and Generation Green (2020–2030).
These examples demonstrate that countries serious about food security invest heavily in irrigation infrastructure rather than leaving farmers to depend solely on rain. Nigeria, with its larger population and agricultural potential, has much to gain from similar investments.
The type of irrigation farming practiced in Hayin Goni, locally called “lambu,” represents traditional dry season farming along river banks. Many of these farmers manually water their crops using containers or simple pumps, a labour-intensive process that limits the scale of production.
With basic mechanization through generators and proper water distribution systems, these farmers could multiply their output significantly. A single generator and set of water pipes can transform a small vegetable plot into a productive farm that supplies markets throughout the dry season.
The crops these farmers are growing; tomatoes, onions, okra, pepper and other sorts of vegetables are essential food items that see price spikes during the dry season due to reduced supply. Supporting irrigation farmers to produce these crops year-round would stabilize prices and improve food access for ordinary Nigerians.
The Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture and the Ikara Local Government Agriculture Department should prioritize supporting dry season farmers with basic irrigation equipment. Even modest investments in generators, water pumps and pipes for farmers like those in Hayin Goni would yield significant returns in food production.
The federal government’s agricultural intervention programmes should include an irrigation component that provides subsidized equipment to serious dry season farmers. Rather than focusing exclusively on rainy season farming inputs like seeds and fertilizers, agricultural policies should recognize that year-round production requires year-round support.
Development partners and non-governmental organizations working in agricultural development could also play a role by providing irrigation equipment to farmer cooperatives. Group ownership of generators and pumping equipment makes these resources more affordable and sustainable for small-scale farmers. Banks and microfinance institutions should develop loan products specifically for irrigation farming equipment. Farmers willing to invest in dry season production need access to affordable credit that recognizes the income potential of irrigation farming.
The appeal from Hayin Goni farmers who hire generators and pipes to ease their irrigation activities represents the voices of thousands of Nigerian farmers who see the potential of dry season farming but lack the resources to practice it effectively. Their call for support is not asking for handouts but for tools that will enable them to work harder and produce more.
Food security is not just about producing enough during the rainy season. It is about ensuring consistent availability of food throughout the year at prices ordinary citizens can afford. Any nation that relies solely on seasonal rainfall for food production will always face periods of scarcity and high prices.
Conclusion
Nigeria has the land, the farmers and the climate to produce food year-round. What is missing is the deliberate investment in irrigation infrastructure that would free agriculture from dependence on rain, and ultimately, food importation. The farmers in Hayin Goni and countless communities across northern Nigeria are ready to farm throughout the dry season. They simply need the government and other stakeholders to provide the basic tools that make all-year farming possible.
Supporting irrigation farming is not just about helping individual farmers. It is a strategic investment in national food security, economic stability and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians who depend on affordable food prices. The time to act is now, before another dry season passes with farmlands lying idle while food prices soar in markets.
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