Ensuring a water and food secure future through farmer-led irrigation
In line with the Federal Government resolve to increase food production, Benin Owena River Basin embarked on the establishment of Farmers/Youth Empowerment Program with the take-off of a 68 hectare of land provided with irrigation infrastructure for both rain fed and dry season farming and an additional 35 hectare for rain fed agriculture only. The initial phase commenced with 60 students where shortlisted from over 200 applicants drawn from several communities that provided the Authority with access to land. To ensure the involvement of each farmer, every participant is allocated 1 hectare of farmland – 0.5Ha with irrigation facilities and 0.5Ha rain fed. The graduate farmers have undergone preliminary training in modern agronomic practices in their choice crops to improve capacities and maximize the yield from the available infrastructure
