FG, OCP Africa, others to pilot 50 hectares all-season farming in Katsina
In a landmark move to revitalise underutilised irrigation infrastructure, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Katsina State Government, OCP Africa, Sokoto Rima River Basin Authority, and The Infrastructure Bank to launch a 50-hectare all-season demonstration farm at Sabke Dam, Katsina State.
The model farm, which will showcase best practices across the entire value chain—from land prep to post-harvest—will focus on maize, sorghum, cowpea, and soybeans. The project aims to be a proof of concept for how Nigeria can commercialise year-round irrigation farming using existing water infrastructure.
NADF will manage the project, while OCP Africa, the technical lead, will develop custom fertiliser blends tailored to Sabke’s mapped soils. The Katsina State Government is providing mechanisation support, and The Infrastructure Bank is financing key inputs. The initiative also features a digital M&E platform to ensure data-driven execution and transparency.
Governor Dikko Radda, who attended the signing, praised the initiative’s potential for economic transformation, and legislative backing was pledged by the House Committee on Water Resources.
Source- Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The MoU signed for the 50-hectare demonstration farm at Sabke Dam is more than symbolic—it is a strategic inflection point in Nigeria’s attempt to bridge the irrigation gap and convert dormant dams into economic engines.
- Model Farm as Policy Instrument, Not Showcase
Unlike past pilot projects that existed in isolation, this model farm is designed to generate data, demonstrate viability, and guide broader rollouts. This shift—from PR showpiece to scalable framework—is a welcome change. - Water Infrastructure as a Growth Catalyst
With over 200 underutilised dams nationwide, the Sabke project could unlock a new model of integrated agri-irrigation development. If scaled, these sites could anchor climate-resilient zones for cereals, legumes, and horticulture. - OCP’s Role Shows the Power of Specialised Partners
Soil-specific blends and input optimisation are critical. By leveraging OCP Africa’s agro-intelligence, this project can demonstrate nutrient-use efficiency and improve farmer yields through science-backed fertilisation. - M&E Digitisation: A First for Irrigated Pilot Farms
The deployment of a digital monitoring platform is a key innovation. Beyond transparency, it offers a model for adaptive management—something often missing in government-driven interventions. - Scalability Depends on Market Access, Not Yields Alone
While production is crucial, offtake systems, value chain links, and price guarantees must be built into the model. If not, bumper harvests from the demo farm could suffer post-harvest losses or price crashes.
Conclusion
Sabke Dam’s transformation into a model irrigation site should not remain a pilot. With political will, stakeholder continuity, and investment crowding, this project could become Nigeria’s national template for commercial, irrigated, all-season agriculture.
