The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the agricultural sector through strategic investments in irrigation, mechanization, and input support, all aimed at enabling year-round farming and boosting food production.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Muhammad Tukur Alkali, during the 2025 Annual Management Lecture and Merit Awards organized by the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Sokoto State Chapter. The event was held at the Sokoto Guest Inn.
Represented by Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, Deputy Director of Agricultural Services, Alkali emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of Sokoto State’s economy, sustaining the livelihoods of a vast majority of its people.
He described the theme of this year’s lecture, “Strategic Enhancement, Value Addition and Agricultural Development of Sokoto State: The Way Forward,” as timely and reflective of the state government’s current agenda.
According to the Commissioner, Governor Ahmad Aliyu has made agriculture a cornerstone of his administration’s development strategy—focusing on inclusive growth, food security, and economic prosperity.
“To break the cycle of seasonal farming, the state government has prioritized year-round agricultural production through major investments in irrigation,” he said.
Among the key projects is the 450-hectare Kware Irrigation Scheme, which is already supporting dry-season farming and increasing output among smallholder farmers. Also ongoing is the rehabilitation of the Wurno Irrigation Scheme, which aims to enhance water access and farm yields, alongside the newly awarded contract for the rehabilitation of the Lugu Dam, intended to restore water capacity and enable more irrigated farming in surrounding communities.
In addition to irrigation, the government has procured 2,000 tractors, distributed fertilizers and assorted farm inputs free of charge, and supported farmer cooperatives. The administration has also promoted modern farming techniques and facilitated partnerships with private investors and development agencies to modernize and sustain agriculture in the state.
Alkali stressed the importance of value addition in reducing post-harvest losses and increasing farmers’ incomes. “We are working to ensure farmers no longer sell raw produce at low prices. Plans are underway to establish agro-processing centers, storage facilities, and stronger market linkages—both local and international,” he said.
He commended the Nigerian Institute of Management for organizing the lecture and recognizing excellence through its awards and called on all stakeholders—public and private—to collaborate in promoting strategic agricultural development in the state.
In his welcome address, Bala Hassan, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Sokoto State Chapter, said agriculture was chosen as the focus of this year’s lecture in response to the nation’s current economic realities. He called for greater attention to value addition in agriculture as a path to national development.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. Chika Umar Aliyu of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and was titled: “Strategic Enhancement, Value Addition and Agricultural Development of Sokoto State.”
