Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four key development partners. The deal will lead to the establishment of a 50-hectare demonstration farm at the Sabke irrigation site in Maiadua Local Government Area.
The initiative brings together the National Agriculture Development Fund, the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), and OCP Africa—an agricultural development organization based in Morocco. The agreement was signed during a high-level event at the Katsina State Government House, attended by federal and state officials.
The delegation was led by Alhaji Sada Soli Jibia, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources and representative of the Jibia-Kaita Federal Constituency.
Governor Radda expressed deep appreciation to the federal government for selecting Katsina State as the pilot location for this innovative agricultural project.
“This project demonstrates the passion President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has for the people of Katsina State,” Governor Radda stated after the signing. He explained that the project would help develop key infrastructure and maximize the existing potential of the Sabke Dam, all under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.
Governor Radda assured all stakeholders of the state government’s full commitment to delivering on its responsibilities. “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,” he said.
The Governor highlighted the importance of making the Sabke Dam functional year-round to engage farmers in consistent agricultural activities. He stressed the need to optimize the significant investments already made in the Dam, which has remained underutilized for years.
Alhaji Sada Soli Jibia also spoke at the event, praising the caliber of organizations involved in the collaboration. “We will not allow this pilot program to fail, given the exceptional capacity of the partners involved,” he said, voicing strong confidence in the initiative’s success.
He hinted at possible expansion plans if the Sabke project proves successful, revealing that additional sites like the Jibia, Zobe, and Dallaje Dams could also benefit from similar irrigation programs in the future. This aligns with national efforts to improve agricultural productivity and reduce reliance on food imports.
Alhaji Muntaka Badaru Jikamshi, Executive Director of Irrigation Services at the SRRBDA, described the Sabke Dam as one of the most important assets under the Authority. He noted that the site had been handed over to the agency by the federal government in 2018 but had not been put to proper use until now.
“The Authority has donated 50 hectares of land for this project development and food security initiative,” Jikamshi said. He expressed hope that under the Renewed Hope Agenda championed by President Tinubu, this effort would mark a turning point for irrigation and farming systems in Katsina and across Nigeria.
Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the National Agriculture Development Fund, revealed that his team had previously visited Katsina State on March 18th. During the visit, Governor Radda personally gave them a tour of the Sabke site to carry out a full feasibility study.
According to Ibrahim, the inspection was part of their oversight duties under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund and was aimed at assessing the SRRBDA’s projects for potential optimization in agricultural development.
He applauded Governor Radda’s efforts in providing vital support such as mechanization and agricultural extension services, which are essential for the project’s smooth execution.
“This is not just a project; it’s a step toward real agricultural transformation in Katsina,” Ibrahim added.
Also present at the signing event was Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Dutsin-ma, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the SRRBDA. His presence underscored the importance placed on financial and institutional support for the program’s implementation.
This historic agreement is a key milestone in Governor Radda’s “Building Your Future” agricultural transformation agenda. It also reflects the strength of public-private partnerships in driving long-term, sustainable development across Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
Read Also: FG Partners with GITEX Global to Showcase 300 Startups, Train Over 7 Million Youths