By The Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) has begun deploying modern water distribution technology at the Lake Geriyo Irrigation Project in Yola, Adamawa State, as part of efforts to reduce the cost of water generation and enhance dry season farming.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Amb. Dr. Mahmud Sanusi Mohammed, disclosed this during an inspection visit to the irrigation facility alongside members of the Correspondents’ Chapel in Adamawa State. The journalists toured the site to assess the level of preparedness for the 2025/2026 dry season farming season.
Dr. Mohammed explained that the Authority is replacing the existing obsolete centrifugal water pumping machines with more efficient axial flow pumping technology. According to him, the new system is more cost-effective and will significantly reduce the cost of generating water for irrigation.
He noted that the initiative is part of ongoing reforms aimed at modernising irrigation infrastructure and ensuring that farmers have affordable access to water for agricultural production.
The UBRBDA boss said one of the major challenges facing irrigation farming in Nigeria is the high cost of pumping and distributing water. He explained that the Authority, under his leadership, has adopted modern and efficient pumping systems to cut operational costs while improving water supply to farms within the irrigation scheme.
Dr. Mohammed further revealed that the installation of high-capacity pumping machines at the Lake Geriyo Irrigation Project will enhance water abstraction from River Benue and ensure more reliable distribution of water through irrigation canals.
According to him, the modern pumping system is expected to reduce energy consumption and operational costs, making irrigation farming more sustainable and affordable for farmers.
He emphasised that efficient water management remains critical to Nigeria’s efforts to achieve food security, especially under the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda.
Dr. Mohammed also disclosed that the Authority has implemented several technical interventions to ensure the irrigation facility operates smoothly ahead of the farming season.
These measures include sediment management along sections of River Benue to improve water flow, desilting irrigation canals to enhance water distribution, and clearing invasive aquatic vegetation that previously obstructed water movement within the irrigation channels.
He explained that these interventions are designed to ensure that farmers participating in the irrigation scheme receive adequate water supply throughout the farming season.
In addition, the Authority has rehabilitated the access road leading to the irrigation facility using biotechnology-based stabilisation techniques.
According to him, the method is environmentally friendly and helps strengthen the road surface while reducing construction waste and protecting the surrounding ecosystem.
Dr. Mohammed expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, noting that the combination of modern pumping technology and improved water management practices has significantly enhanced the operational readiness of the Lake Geriyo Irrigation Project.
He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting farmers through innovative water resource management strategies aimed at promoting year-round agricultural production.
