Katsina State is about joining some states like Delta and Rivers that have keyed into the Songhai farm philosophy as it is set to establish such farm in the three senatorial districts of the state.

Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, the state governor, has entered into talks with the management of Songhai farm in Benin Republic. In this chat, the Special Assistant (Press Affairs), Abdulhamid Danjuma, talks on the reason for this move and other efforts of the governor in transforming agriculture in the state. Excerpt:

On agricultural programmes in the state:

Katsina State as an agrarian environment and with over 80 per cent of its people as farmers, has had its share in producing food for both domestic and export purposes. Over the years, various agricultural programmes have been introduced to accelerate the growth and development of the farmers as well as to attain the goal of food security.

As a matter of fact, concerted efforts and steps have been taken in ensuring food security. Part of the measures introduced include the cultivation of over 3,000 hectares of irrigable land at the then moribund Jibia Dam, which before the coming of the current administration, farmers only cultivate 100 hectares.

In addition to that, a number of earth dams were constructed in most parts of the state, while in irrigation sites such as Daberam, Ruwan Sanyi, Sabke and Dannakola among others, farmers were able to till the soil for irrigation purposes.

On farming inputs:

In the same vein, the issue of fertilizer procurement within the last four cropping seasons was given serious attention. The same for the issue of provision of insecticides, pesticides and animal traction loan.

Similarly, cattle vaccination, afforestation, tree planting and the establishment of orchards were all given serious attention as a testimony to government’s commitment and devotion to improve food production within the state and beyond.

Significantly, just mid last year, government procured over 340 tractors and their accessories for farmers in the state.

Indeed, the tractors were sold to farmers at 50 per cent discount (subsidized by 50 per cent); each of the 34 local governments in the state got 10 tractors and the beneficiaries include the low, middle and  large scale farmers as well as farmers’ groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

On the proposed Songhai farms:

Despite these programmes, the current administration of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema has continued to implement sustainable agricultural development programmes and policies which have constantly been of immense benefits to the farmers who constitute the majority of the population.

One of the good agricultural policies that is about to take off in Katsina State is Songhai farming which would translate to enabling over 50,000 farming youths to earn a lawful living and to engage themselves in agriculture-related activities all year round.

The administration of Alhaji Ibrahim Shema and the management of Songhai Farms have already opened talks and are now in the process of establishing a Songhai farm in each of the three senatorial zones of Katsina State for the benefit of thousands of able-bodied youth.

The Songhai farming initiative is an advanced farming technique that covers all areas of farming with the full utilisation of waste materials from the products for further agricultural purposes.

A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Robin Sanders had been to Katsina State a couple of days ago for a follow-up visit to assess all the requirements that are needed in each of the designated water points meant for the establishment of the farms.

Governor Ibrahim Shema who is impressed with the potentials and the benefits attached to the Songhai farming techniques directed that as a pilot scheme, each of the three water points in Sabke Dam, Zobe Dam and Mairuwa Dam should be fully utilised by the Songhai farms so that a total of about 15,000 hectares could be cultivated to derive a lot of benefits to people in the state.

Songhai Farms is known the world over for its expertise in general land transformation and utilisation for three cultivations in a year and the waste products are then recycled or converted for other uses.

Part of the package the Songhai farms is aimed at providing to farmers in Katsina State is the establishment of satellite farms from each of the three farms to be located near Sabke, Zobe and Mairuwa dams to widen the coverage for optimal utilisation of the vast agricultural resources/land in the state.

The satellite farms are to pay attention mainly to Honey Production, Honey Processing, Honey Packaging, Fisheries Production, Fishery Management, Poultry and Livestock Production, Animal Husbandry, Crops and Cereals production among many others.