As climate change continues to disrupt rainfall patterns and intensify water shortages, an irrigation engineer with the Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), Aminu Idris Yusuf, said Nigerian farmers must embrace climate-smart irrigation technologies to sustain crop production and improve yields.
He disclosed this during an exclusive interview with SolaceBase in Kano.
According to him, water scarcity remains one of the biggest obstacles facing farmers, particularly in northern Nigeria, where irregular rainfall and prolonged dry spells are becoming more frequent.
He noted that many farmers still rely on traditional surface irrigation methods, which often result in significant water losses through evaporation, runoff, and soil erosion.
To address this challenge, Yusuf recommended the adoption of modern irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and solar-powered irrigation technologies.
He explained that drip irrigation, in particular, delivers water directly to the root zone of crops, drastically reducing wastage and improving water-use efficiency.
“With drip irrigation, farmers can save up to 90 per cent of the water typically used in surface irrigation while still achieving optimal crop yield,” he said.
Yusuf also stressed the importance of complementary farming practices such as mulching and crop rotation, which help retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and enhance soil fertility.
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He further highlighted the role of drought-resistant seed varieties developed by institutions such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, noting that these innovations can enable farmers to produce more with less water.
He urged farmers to adopt climate-smart irrigation and other sustainable agricultural practices to improve resilience, conserve scarce water resources, and ensure long-term food security.
“By embracing these technologies, farmers can use less water, reduce production costs, and harvest better yields despite the challenges of climate change,” Yusuf said.
