PRESS RELEASES

Fireblade Aviation, dedicated to turning dreams into reality, identified the remarkable potential in the 7-year-old, aspiring chef, Imari James! Fireblade Aviation’s invitation for Imari to join their chefs for a day at their office in Gauteng is a collaboration set to ignite dreams and inspire others to aim for the skies! Get ready for a journey beyond the kitchen as Imari takes flight with Fireblade Aviation.

Through TikTok, the country is slowly catching wind of a remarkable story—the story of Imari. Born with meningitis and hydrocephalus, she faced a challenging start to life with doctors predicting that she would not live for very long. Her first year saw her undergo six surgeries to drain fluid from her brain, and doctors weren’t optimistic about her survival. However, against all odds, Imari defied medical expectations, emerging as a vibrant and determined seven-year-old who today attends a regular school and dreams of becoming a chef.

Imari’s journey unfolds against the backdrop of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, a city where her dreams are set to take flight. Hailing from Wentworth, Durban, Imari and her family navigated the trials of her medical condition with resilience and hope. Beyond the surgeries and challenges, her mother, Iman James’ hope was to find a way to share Imari’s story of ‘hope’ with the world. Imari’s online presence has also birthed her own brand, “One Thing About Two Things,” a playful nod to the slang in their community—a testament to her roots and the vibrant spirit of Durban.

Fireblade Aviation, with its commitment to making dreams come true from a young age, saw Imari’s potential. Sharlenee Naidoo, Marketing Manager at Fireblade Aviation, recognised Imari’s dreams and extended an invitation for her to spend a day with the chefs at Fireblade Aviation. The partnership between Imari and Fireblade Aviation goes beyond a day in the kitchen; it represents a collaborative effort to nurture dreams and inspire others to reach for the skies. 888starz Apk

Iman James, shared the family’s journey. “We noticed that she was having issues with her eyes, and the initial diagnosis revealed the severity of the situation. Imari underwent multiple surgeries, including a lumbar puncture and the insertion of a shunt to drain fluid from her brain. The road was fraught with challenges, as the shunt would periodically block, necessitating further surgeries—a total of six within her first year of life.”

The family faced many moments of despair, but Imari’s resilience together with the support of the doctors and staff at government hospitals allowed her to defy the odds. “She is living a normal life and has grown into a lively and curious child, showing a keen interest in life.”

Imari’s story took an unexpected turn when her mother started sharing glimpses of their life on social media. Through platforms like TikTok, Imari began to captivate hearts with her infectious spirit and unwavering determination. Imari’s journey resonated with many and is slowly turning her into a social media sensation.

From a Fireblade Aviation perspective, Naidoo emphasized the importance of supporting children’s aspirations early on. “We have phenomenal chefs within our team, and we can give back to the community and provide her with something that she can always recall on her journey.” Fireblade Aviation’s focus on STEM fields aligns with Imari’s dreams, showcasing the interconnectedness of various career paths, including the critical role of a chef even within the aviation industry.

“Imari’s story serves as a beacon of hope, not only for those facing medical challenges but for every child with a dream. Her journey is a reminder that dreams, when nurtured and supported, have the power to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. Imari’s tale of resilience and dreams continues to inspire, proving that from Durban to the world, aspirations know no bounds,” explains Naidoo.

Imari’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of dreams. As she continues to inspire others, her journey also serves as a reminder that every child, regardless of their challenges, deserves the chance to dream and pursue those dreams with unwavering support.

“The opportunities to support STEM education or any field of studies should begin from early childhood development. We need to make dreams come true so that children are inspired and will continue to drive every effort into making their career paths a success because the world has given them a platform from which to be inspired,” concludes Naidoo.

South Africa has been grappling with a severe water crisis in recent years, affecting all facets of life, including businesses and industries. Among those significantly impacted is the farming and agriculture sector, which heavily relies on a stable water supply for survival. As the challenges of water scarcity persist, innovative solutions like Damsak® Reservoirs are emerging as game-changers for stakeholders in the agriculture industry, offering a lifeline for sustainability and growth.

The water crisis in South Africa

The water crisis in South Africa has been driven by a combination of factors, including prolonged droughts, changing weather patterns, electricity shortages affecting the continuous flow of water, and increasing demand due to population growth and economic activities. These factors have put immense pressure on existing water resources, leaving farmers struggling to secure an adequate and reliable water supply for their crops and livestock.

Impact on the farming industry

The farming industry has endured the brunt of the water crisis, facing challenges that threaten livelihoods and food security.

Insufficient water supply leads to reduced crop yields, reduced quality of produce, and increased stress on livestock, leading to rising production costs and decreased profitability for farmers. Additionally, water restrictions and uncertainties have made long-term planning and investment in agriculture a risky proposition.

Damsak® Reservoirs: A solution for sustainable agriculture

Amidst the water crisis, Damsak® Reservoirs can offer hope to farmers and agricultural businesses in South Africa. Their innovative water storage solutions provide a range of features that set them apart from competitors, making them the ideal choice for the agriculture industry.

Easy Installation and Maintenance: Damsak® Reservoirs boast user-friendly installation and low maintenance, minimising downtime, and operational disruptions for farmers.

Super easy to transport: Damsak® Reservoirs can be folded when not in use, making it convenient to transport and deploy on the back of a bakkie. This provides farmers with a hassle-free solution for rapid deployment without compromising on quality.

Durable and UV-Protected: Damsak® Reservoirs are built to withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring long-lasting durability even in the sunniest and most challenging environments. Their UV protection prevents degradation, keeping it safe and clean for multi-purpose uses.

Reliability: Damsak® Reservoirs are engineered to deliver a consistent and reliable water supply. By storing water during periods of plenty, farmers can ensure a steady supply during droughts, mitigating the impact of water shortages on their crops and livestock.

Scalability: Whether it’s a small family-owned farm or a large-scale agricultural enterprise, Damsak® Reservoirs offer scalable solutions to suit diverse needs. Farmers can choose from various sizes to match their specific water storage requirements. Sweet Bonanza Xmas

Environmentally Friendly: By promoting water conservation and sustainable water usage, Damsak® Reservoirs contribute to preserving South Africa’s delicate ecosystems and reducing the industry’s overall water footprint.

Embracing a sustainable future

In the face of the ongoing water crisis, investing in a Damsak® water storage bladder is not just a practical decision for the farming industry; it’s a commitment to a sustainable future. By securing a reliable water supply, farmers can strengthen their resilience against the uncertainties of climate change and protect their livelihoods for generations to come.

By adopting Damsak®’s water storage solutions, stakeholders in the farming industry can take a significant step towards sustainability, ensuring the growth and prosperity of agriculture in South Africa despite the challenges posed by water scarcity.

Damsak® Reservoirs is a registered South African product, first designed and manufactured in 2007. We commit to a 10-year guarantee on workmanship, if used in the recommended conditions. Our water storage solution is compact and easy-to-transport, providing an adequate and reliable solution for water storage in the farming, agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial industries

Take control of your water security

South Africa is a water scarce country, the 30th driest in the world. Half of our country’s river flow is provided by only 10% of its land. Most of the mountain catchment regions that feed our major rivers, are not protected. Yet they are critical for food production and the sustenance of life downstream.

We’re all too familiar with dams, reservoirs and rivers running dry. Groundwater levels fluctuate alarmingly, or even ‘disappear’. Constant water supply is no longer guaranteed, or has become unreliable. In many areas, rainfall has decreased. Less rain not only directly impacts dams and surface water, but also has a dire effect on the recharging of groundwater levels. Rising temperatures are causing increased evaporation. Drought and climate change hold serious implications for long-term water security and pose a huge threat to food security.

Clearly then, water is without a doubt the most precious commodity in South Africa.

The agricultural sector is particularly exposed to water risks. That’s why our resourceful farmers have a solid reputation for being so remarkably adaptable – constantly innovating to produce more with less… most especially when it comes to the availability of fresh water.

One obvious adaptive response to immediately providing their own water security, is to install bulk water storage tanks.

Rainbow Reservoirs, established in 2003, is a South African manufacturer of premium water storage tanks in use in 29 countries worldwide. Because we KNOW about the challenges of water storage in South Africa, we’ve also responded decisively to the increased requirement by farmers for agri-water. That’s why we’ve developed a range of water storage tanks that have been specifically adapted not only to the needs of our farmers, but also to withstand the harshest, most-demanding environments.

By coupling latest advancements with innovative design and corrosion-resistant Aluzinc steel, we’ve come up with a 21st century solution for affordable water storage tanks that you can rely on… The Oasis Water Tanks Range.

We’ve even stuck to the tried and tested corrugated-iron profile that for decades has defined iconic farm-tanks on our agricultural landscape. At Oasis Tanks we’ve taken this legendary, life-sustaining landmark to the next level in corrugated water storage tank technology.

Oasis tanks are manufactured from AZ150 ALUZINC STEEL, NOT hot-dip galvanized steel – there’s a difference! Aluzinc is the material of choice when extended life-span and durability are essential requirements. Aluzinc steel coatings out-perform galvanized coatings by 3-7 times.

Quick and easy to install (visit www.oasistanks.co.za), Oasis Tanks offers over 100 tank models in various height/diameter configurations (and colours!) to suite your needs.

Benefits of an Oasis tank

• 500 litres to over 1 million litres
• 700gsm reinforced PVC liner
• Colour options
• Low to no maintenance
• 10-year warranty
• 40-year life-span
• Rapid installation
• Easy transportation in pre-manufactured flatpack/kit form
• Easy capacity enhancement when required
• Easy to dismantle and relocate
• NO CONCRETE BASE REQUIRED for low profile tanks up to 250,000l

Included:

• External, galvanized steel ladder
• Lockable manhole/inspection hatch
• Aluzinc domed roof
• Dust / vermin proofing

Accessory options:

• Scour / flush drain
• Water level gauge
• Optional flange sizes: inlet, outlet, overflow
• Turbine ventilator
• And many more… according to your express requirements.

Oasis tanks offer a cost-effective, no-regrets water security solution. And they’re built tough to withstand Africa’s toughest conditions

Contact us: sales@oasistanks.co.za; www.oasistanks.co.za; 011 965 6016 ; 082 550 7559

Aucor Property gives farmers best chance of a sale

Aucor Property has a stellar track record in the commercial property auction space and have identified a gap in their business to continue their upward trajectory in sales with the launch of a dedicated Agricultural arm. The sole focus in this division will be the disposal of farms. The company recognises that South Africa’s agricultural landscape is an extremely specialised area that requires an extraordinary depth of knowledge of both land values and the business of farming to ensure the successful sales.

Francois Pawson has come onboard as Business Development Manager of the agricultural business unit. Pawson joins with 20 years’ experience across the agricultural industry. He started his career as a farmer and having found success in a tough industry, he established himself as a management consultant, working with farmers who were struggling to navigate challenging economic and operational environments. Understanding the challenges farmers faced in selling farms he moved into the real estate sector to aid them with the sale of their businesses. Pawson therefore brings a holistic understanding of the sector to Aucor Property.

Pawson describes how our farming industry is more diverse than any other country in the Sub-Saharan region. Our unique climate varies from dry and arid in the Karoo, to Mediterranean in the west and sub-tropical on the east coast. We experience winter rain in the Western and Eastern Cape and summer rainfalls inland, meaning we have the opportunity to yield all major grains, oilseeds, deciduous and tropical fruits, sugar, citrus, nuts, wine, flowers and most vegetables.

Farming and the real estate sector for 2024

Pawson estimates that there are roughly 32 000 farmers contributing to the economy, varying from commercial to subsistence farming. According to Agri SA, the current average age of a farmer in South Africa is sixty-two. This is alarming for the future as there is a low succession rate to continue previous family farming legacies. 22Bet Portugal

The number of farm units sold in South Africa remained stable at roughly 4200 in 2023 compared to around 3900 farm units sold in 2022. This stability can be attributed to increased demand for farms bigger than 600ha due to the impact of good summer rains on production, according to Johann Bornman, chairperson of Agri Development Solutions. The weakening Rand has been positive for exports but is also dependent on the national harbours providing an adequate logistics solution. Finally, a huge positive is the new entrants to the Agri sector due to some successful skills development programs.

Benefit of auction for the agri sector

The greatest benefit to sellers is that they are able to dispose of their farms via auction in 6-8 weeks. Having a set date for auction also creates a sense of urgency for serious buyers. Over and above this, Aucor Property implement aggressive marketing campaigns and rely on a database of over 45 000 subscribers to bring buyers to the auction. Conclusion of deals are more likely as the conditions of auction eliminate back and forth negotiations that could result in no deal as is often the case with traditional real estate listings.

For the buyers, the value of the entity will be thoroughly assessed before being placed on auction. This provides clarity, with full disclosure being given regarding factors like water rights, land claims and labour force. A level of certainty also comes into play as it becomes clear to the buyer that the seller is serious and not simply “testing the market”.

Contact Francois at francois@aucor.com to get a full understanding of the auction process and to discuss the sale of your farm.

The term “Electrostatic Spraying” is often misunderstood. Two common mistakes are made in the assumption that “all electrostatic sprayers are the same” and are mistakenly referred to as “foggers”.

The important aspect of our technology is droplet size and mass, which led to the development of the Maxcharge™ nozzle 28 years ago, at the University of Georgia, in Atlanta, USA. The droplet size and efficacy of the dispersed electrostatically charged droplets, create a “wrap around” effect and cover the targeted object on all sides.

Data submitted by leading universities demonstrate that air-assisted Electrostatic Spraying Systems (ESS):

• Dramatically reduces the application water required
• Significantly reduces application waste and off-target drift
• Effectively increases insect and disease control

How does it work?
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Electrostatic attraction is what causes items of clothing to stick to each other after being tumbled in a clothes dryer. The same natural force is utilized by ESS electrostatic sprayer systems. The heart of ESS air-assisted electrostatic sprayers is the patented MaxCharge™ nozzle, together with a spray dispersion through pressurized air, which produces spray droplets that are 900 times smaller than those produced by conventional sprayers.

As the spray is atomized, the droplets pass an electrode in the patented MaxCharge™ nozzle, which induces a negative charge on each spray droplet. The lightweight, negatively charged droplets are dispersed from the nozzle and carried deep into the plant canopy in a turbulent air-stream.

The negatively charged 30 to 60 micron droplets are repelled from one another and naturally attracted to the plant material, resulting in a uniform fine powder coat coverage. This provides measurably more than twice the deposition efficiency when compared to conventional non-electrostatic alternatives.

Droplets literally change direction and move upwards against gravity to coat the plant surface.

Although the technology is advanced, ESS air-assisted MaxCharge™ nozzles and sprayers are hardy and easy to maintain.

Benefits

• reduces the risk of drift, runoff and ground wastage

The way in which the spray coats the underside of the leaves and backsides of stems is known as electrostatic “wraparound”. The electrostatic charge is 75 times stronger than gravity, allowing the spray droplets to uniformly disperse and cling to plant surface, rather than blown past the target, or accumulating into larger pools. The even dispersion avoids run off and chemical hot spots, to eliminate the risk of leaf and fruit burn from longer term chemical residue concentrations.

• requires minimal water due to low-volume air-assisted spraying

Low-Volume air-assisted spraying technology requires 8 to 12 times less water carrier than conventional spraying methods. Growers are able to reduce standard 1,000 litres per hectare applications by conventional methods to an average 100 litres per hectare using ESS technology.

• increases efficiency of softer, environmentally safer applications

The ability to provide comprehensive dispersion and coverage of targeted crop significantly improves the performance of controls applied. The increased residual effect can extend the half-life of controls and reduce frequency of spray applications.

• reduces costs through operational efficiencies of hectarage cover per application

Low-Volume air-assisted spraying technology reduces the need and regularity of stoppage times per tank fill, increasing efficiencies of the number of hectares covered per spray day.

The benefits to the crop in quality terms and with improved dispersion of applications to efficiently manage insect and disease control, together reduced water requirements, spraying time, equipment wear and tear, add up to a lean payback period.

Where can I find it?

Electrostatic Spraying Systems Inc. commercialized the technology with the Maxcharge™ patented nozzle, 28 years ago. The manufacturing facility is based in Georgia, USA., where all manner of sprayers from compact handheld mobile backpack sprayers to industrial scale row crop sprayers are built. Apart from supplying their own domestic market, ESS Inc., have international distribution and a presence in South America, Europe, Middle East, Far East, Asia and Africa.

I & M Smith (Pty) Ltd, have been operating in Africa for over 100 years, specialising in the agricultural sector. The company represents ESS Inc., in Africa and has built steadfast relations with their ESS clients. I & M Smith (Pty) Ltd., have trained technicians on standby, ready to assist with new sprayer commissioning, onsite operational staff training and comprehensive after sales service and spares support.

For more information, including technical reports, studies, trials, as well as online brochures, visit www.iandmsmith.com click on the tab header Electrostatic Sprayers, or contact one of their technicians by calling South Africa, +27 82 317 7928.

Federal and state governments have been told to shift attention to irrigation away from rain farming due to the perennial flooding across the country.

The advice was contained in a communique issue at the end of a one-day consultative meeting on 2023 Kwara State Agriculture Budget in Ilorin, the state capital.

The programme was sponsored by the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE) and the Budget Committee Group in collaboration with the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Smallscale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON).

“Agriculture and climate change are interwoven. And with the perennial flooding devastating farmlands and animals across the country, its high time effort is shifted from rain farming to irrigation to guarantee food security.

“Government should also consider agricultural insurance for smallholder farmers to keep them in the value chain and increase farming activities during periods like this to stimulate growth and employment,” the agriculture experts added.

The Coordinator of CCEPE, Mr Abdulrahman Ayuba, said the government should make provision for organic fertilizers and other climate friendly inputs that will improve the quality and quantity of farm produce in the country.

While acknowledging the Kwara State government’s increased spending in the agriculture sector from 3.09 per cent in 2021 to 3.5 per cent in 2022, Ayuba said the stakeholders also agreed on the need to increase budgetary allocation to the sector to 10 per cent in line with the Maputo and Malabo declaration.

“Our women farmers must have access to tractors and mechanized farming and clearing their farmlands at discounted rates. Farm roads must be accessible to the market to reduce loss and cost.

“Farmers should explore social investment programmes from the federal government for credit facilities and farm inputs and other beneficial programmes should be targeted to the real farmers as against political farmers,” he added.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has pledged to judiciously utilize the over 20 existing dams in the state to boost irrigation farming and supplement the rainy season.

Yusuf made the pledge in Kano on Tuesday while receiving the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph T. Utsev, who is in Kano on a familiarization visit.

Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the Governor said the move aimed to provide food and cash crops for industries, provide employment for rural communities, improve livestock activities, reduce flooding incidences, and provide recreational centers across the state.

Tabling challenges faced by Kano State in its water sector before the minister, the Governor disclosed that most dams built in Kano had been existing for close to 40 to 60 years, and that most of them had developed structural issues, while some had been turned into refuse dumps, thereby polluting the water and making it hazardous for consumption.

He explained that his administration had taken a giant step towards maintaining the dams and solicited the support and intervention of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to tackle the challenges.

“We have inaugurated a committee saddled with the responsibility of assessing the state of the affected dams, and we are waiting for their reports on how to respond to the challenges,” he said.

While assuring of total cooperation with the Water Ministry, the governor assured that the state government was in the process of developing over 1,000 hectares of land at Watari, Thomas, and Jakara Irrigation schemes.

Earlier speaking, the Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph T. Utsev, said he is in Kano on a familiarization visit to view the activities of agencies and parastatals under his ministry, such as the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA).

Utsev also disclosed that his visit seeks to explore the requests of the state government in order to augment them with his ministry’s resources to achieve President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He further said that they are also in Kano to see the extent to which the ministry’s facilities are being maintained, as well as to collaborate with the state government towards strengthening the capacity of the river basin and increasing funding for the expansion of programs on the ground for execution.

He noted that the collaboration with the state government would pave way for providing portable drinking water for the people of Kano State as well as boost irrigation farming and other water-inclined activities.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Ali Haruna Makoda, said that prior to the coming of the Abba Yusuf administration, about 85 percent of highlift pressure pumps were not working, but that about 55 percent had been restored and were pumping water to households in Kano under the present administration.

Kenya’s irrigation potential is about 1.342 million hectares of land. But the government has also pointed out in its long-term plan – Vision 2030 – that an additional 9.2 million hectares in arid and semi-arid regions have the potential for crop production through irrigation. Irrigation could be achieved mostly by reliance on perennial rivers, underground water and, in some cases, harvested rainwater.

The exclusion of this additional potential in most planning and policy documents, including the current National Irrigation Policy, means that the country’s irrigation potential is underestimated. It is much greater than listed in most reports.

Only 19 per cent of the area of Kenya officially assessed for irrigation has been developed. There is renewed impetus to expand and promote irrigation development. But the government’s investments are still focused on large-scale (expensive and tech-heavy) schemes.

In my view, the future growth and development of agriculture in Kenya will rely on developing the dry areas, which have low population density (less competing land use). The country should also intensify production in arable areas through irrigation.

Developing the drier areas is particularly important because they host the majority of food-insecure households. The prevalence of severe food insecurity is estimated at around 26.1 per cent of the total population or about 14 million people. The majority of the food-insecure people in Kenya are living in the arid and semi-arid lands.

What’s not known about Kenya’s irrigation growth?

I have recently studied informal irrigation initiatives across the country. I found that planners, policymakers and financiers tend to see irrigation development as occurring only within “schemes”. That is how Kenyan law perceives irrigation projects. The law is important because it specifies what constitutes an irrigation undertaking for purposes of policy and other forms of support.

Yet, I found that individual farmers are quietly developing a substantial amount of irrigation themselves. Small-scale farmers are leading in the uptake of simple equipment for irrigation. But farmer-led initiatives are still unrecognised, unrecorded and ignored by the government.

The term “farmer-led irrigation development” is fairly recent, having been coined in 2017. But it has been practised in Kenya for a long time. A wealth of knowledge has emerged on its technological, economic and social components as a concept (not specifically in Kenya).

Still, Kenya’s policies, statutes and development plans don’t capture it explicitly. Its extent is largely unknown in official circles since it has not been mapped.

Based on my observations of irrigation value chains, the farmer-led initiative is set to become the next big thing pushing the growth of irrigation in Kenya.

This is more so as irrigation moves from public to private investment. The private sector is more adept at mobilising funds for irrigation and marketing the production. For instance, most of the irrigated vegetables sold in the market today are from farmer-led irrigation. Most of the buyers of irrigation equipment also happen to be individual farmers.

What are the drivers of farmer-led irrigation?

Kenya is urbanising rapidly. Urbanisation is associated with higher incomes and changing lifestyles. Food preferences shift towards high-value products like meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables.

The changes in food preferences have expanded markets for crops from irrigated agriculture. High-value crops are generally fresh produce sold off-season, when the price is highest. These require irrigation, which presents an opportunity to introduce new technologies like energy-efficient solar pumps and improved water application systems.

Smallholder, market-oriented producers have been at the forefront of irrigation expansion across Africa over the last two decades.

Based on my research, there are four main drivers of farmer-led irrigation in Kenya: availability of appropriate and affordable irrigation technologies land rights access to finance favourable prices paid to farmers.

Others are ease of access to information, a well-developed mobile money transfer system and relatively well-educated farmers willing to invest in irrigated agriculture.

What should be done to expand irrigation? There is huge scope for irrigation expansion in Kenya through farmer-led initiatives and private financing. Where individuals and small groups make their own investments to advance irrigation, they record better success rates and fewer failures than the large public sector schemes.

Low-cost interventions

Farmer-led irrigation development is entrepreneurial, self-financing and market-oriented. Therefore, it requires these low-cost interventions.

Policy support: there is a need to assess the extent of farmer-led irrigation in the country. This should include mapping to explore its impacts and opportunities for upscaling and possible policy support.

Being “invisible”, the sector currently misses out on various subsidies, incentives and opportunities that are available for publicly funded schemes in Kenya. It is necessary to deliberately channel resources to support farmer-led irrigation through projects, subsidies, incentives, capacity building and access to information for farmers.

Efficient water systems: in the past, irrigation schemes were designed with little concern for water wastage. But as water scarcity becomes more acute, there is a need to improve the water productivity of crops and the overall efficiency of irrigation.

Institutional support: farmer-led irrigation needs institutional support in areas like design (water pans, wells and gravity diversion works), efficiency, productivity and economic return analysis.

Research support: research will guide policymakers and other actors in the irrigated agriculture space. At the moment, data is scanty.

Bancy M. Mati is a professor of Agricultural Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N24 billion for the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for the execution of a smart modular irrigation project.

Executive vice chairman/CEO of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna, disclosed this to State House correspondents after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

According to him, the modular irrigation project would enhance agricultural development in the country, enable farmers to produce crops three times round the year.

On why he was at the Villa, Haruna said the President, who is the executive chairman of the agency, needed to be updated on the way the agency is being run, adding, however, that Buhari’s request to know the state of the accounts was not because there had been any suspicious activity.

He said, “It’s not for anything suspicion, but we have been asking for funding and more funding, then you want to know the status of what is happening so far. For example, I have said to you, the 1% of the Federation Account due to NASENI, we receive only the federal government’s component of it, instead of complete 1% before it’s shared to the states and others that benefit from this.

“Last week, the President approved N24 billion for smart irrigation system, on request by NASENI. So, it is his thought if our money is remitted, why asking for further funding. Just to clarify the situation, not because of any other things, to know the status. And, of course, to give him exactly as the Ccairman of the Board of NASENI, he should know to the last Kobo, what do we have, what don’t we have, to guide his decisions on matters.

“It is for the modular irrigation system. We have acquired a 10 hectare farmland on lease in Adamawa State, using water from River Benue, where this pilot scheme is starting and it is estimated that, based on the technologies to be used there, it is possible to have three multi-crop season in a year, commencing from October this year, God willing.

“The monies are for the pumps, the structure, the farming techniques, the farmers, the officers, the offices that are needed, the vehicles, and the administrative management, up to the period that we will have this demonstration farm, using modular irrigation system first model. First model in the sense that this one we’re drawing water from River Benue, of course solar powered.”

Explaining the funding of the agency, he said the statutory 1% of the Federation Account meant to be drawn for its running is dedicated to execution of some priority projects that had been approved by government.

“The application of these funds is in some priority projects approved by government. The capital components include payment of 15% of the local counterpart funding for three key projects in the Power sector; the development and production of solar cells locally; development and production of electric power transformers and the third one is high voltage testing laboratory.

“Now, these are projects with 85% funding support from China, which is part of what is approved and being implemented in the 2021/2022 Borrowing Plan. That is number one and in that, out of the $48,879,103, representing 15% of what Nigeria is paying as the 15% counterpart funding based on the money remitted to NASENI in the first and third quarters. $23,928,063 had been remitted in these two quarters.

“The other areas of application of this fund include the development and domestications of technologies NASENI has acquire from a partnering organization in Italy, de Lorenzo, in the production of technical science laboratory equipment for primary school, secondary school and tertiary institutions.

“The third component is the development of skills development centers in six geopolitical zones. For now, one each per zone. The fourth component of application of this fund is in the development of three out of 12 new centers approved by the President for different states of the federation and of course, continue research and development, reverse engineering and assembly of some military equipment in collaboration with two different private companies, that is Nigeria Machine Tools Limited, Oshogbo and PROFORCE, manufacturer of some military hardware, based in Ogun State, and of course, completion of the remodeled NASENI headquarters.

“These are priority areas where these funds have been applied. The briefings also included the newly developed equipment and machines that are needed to have mechanized farming. This simple, but needed equipment include equipment for cultivation, for planting, for weeding, for processing, harvesting, up to food preservation,” Prof. Haruna stated.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has pledged to judiciously utilize the over 20 existing dams in the state to boost irrigation farming and supplement the rainy season.

Yusuf made the pledge in Kano on Tuesday while receiving the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph T. Utsev, who is in Kano on a familiarization visit.

Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, the Governor said the move aimed to provide food and cash crops for industries, provide employment for rural communities, improve livestock activities, reduce flooding incidences, and provide recreational centers across the state.

Tabling challenges faced by Kano State in its water sector before the minister, the Governor disclosed that most dams built in Kano had been existing for close to 40 to 60 years, and that most of them had developed structural issues, while some had been turned into refuse dumps, thereby polluting the water and making it hazardous for consumption.

He explained that his administration had taken a giant step towards maintaining the dams and solicited the support and intervention of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to tackle the challenges.

“We have inaugurated a committee saddled with the responsibility of assessing the state of the affected dams, and we are waiting for their reports on how to respond to the challenges,” he said.

While assuring of total cooperation with the Water Ministry, the governor assured that the state government was in the process of developing over 1,000 hectares of land at Watari, Thomas, and Jakara Irrigation schemes.

Earlier speaking, the Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph T. Utsev, said he is in Kano on a familiarization visit to view the activities of agencies and parastatals under his ministry, such as the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA).

Utsev also disclosed that his visit seeks to explore the requests of the state government in order to augment them with his ministry’s resources to achieve President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He further said that they are also in Kano to see the extent to which the ministry’s facilities are being maintained, as well as to collaborate with the state government towards strengthening the capacity of the river basin and increasing funding for the expansion of programs on the ground for execution.

He noted that the collaboration with the state government would pave way for providing portable drinking water for the people of Kano State as well as boost irrigation farming and other water-inclined activities.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Ali Haruna Makoda, said that prior to the coming of the Abba Yusuf administration, about 85 percent of highlift pressure pumps were not working, but that about 55 percent had been restored and were pumping water to households in Kano under the present administration.