Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, Nigeria is working towards making its vast water resources a major driver for the attainment of food security and alleviation of extreme poverty in the country.
The minister made this known while declaring a two-day Stakeholders’ Sensitization Workshop on the National Action Plan for Harnessing Water Resources for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria open in Nasarawa State.
The workshop, which held on November 21 – 22, 2024, provided opportunities for stakeholders to further acquaint themselves with the National Action Plan for Harnessing Water Resources for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria, and to develop a comprehensive framework for the implementation of three flagship programs designed to tackle food security challenges and alleviate poverty across the country.
Utsev emphasized the critical role of water resources in driving agricultural productivity, food security, and socio-economic development, while also highlighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-Point Agenda, which prioritizes food security and poverty eradication, urging stakeholders to transform these goals into actionable strategies.
The Minister He explained that the River Basin Strategy for Poverty Alleviation (RB-SPA) focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity, fostering inclusive growth, and improving market access in river basin areas.
He further revealed that the Water for Expanded Irrigated Agriculture Programme (WEIRPRO) seeks to expand irrigated agriculture to boost crop yields and support livelihoods, whereas the Partnership for Expanded Irrigation Programme (PEIRPRO) focuses on utilizing innovative technologies and fostering cross-sector collaboration for sustainable development.
“These programs represent a paradigm shift in water resources management, aiming to optimize the utilization of our river basin systems and unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector,” Prof. Utsev stated.