Abuja: Irrigation and water management experts have called for the inclusion of women and young professionals in advancing irrigated agriculture across Africa. This call was a central theme at the 6th African Irrigation and Drainage (ARCID) Conference, which concluded with an award ceremony on Wednesday night in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs Oyeronke Oluniyi, Chairperson of the Nigerian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (NINCID), highlighted the strong engagement with young professionals from six African countries as a standout feature of the conference. She emphasized that these young professionals are ready to lead and drive meaningful change in irrigation development across the continent.
Oluniyi, who is also the Director of Irrigation and Drainage at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, noted a key highlight of the conference was a field visit to an irrigation site near Keffi, Nasarawa. She described the visit as a practical eye-opener, providing real-world insight into the challenges and opportunities within irrigation practice.
She stressed the importance of harnessing the creativity and energy of young people to promote sustainable agriculture, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Oluniyi also pointed to a pre-conference youth forum that provided a platform for delegates from various countries to collaborate, network, and exchange ideas.
The conference featured a dedicated session on women’s participation in irrigated agriculture, aimed at empowering women and addressing barriers such as limited access to land and other essential resources. Female farmers from the Hadejia Valley Irrigation Project in Jigawa and the Kano River Irrigation Scheme in Zamfara shared their personal stories of transformation and empowerment.
President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), Dr Marco Arcieri, described the conference as a significant milestone for Africa. He called for greater collaboration and networking to address shared challenges, including water scarcity and food insecurity.
Mr Inuwa Musa, Co-chair of the 6th ARCID Task Team, noted that advancements must be accelerated to meet the demands of a growing population and the increasing impacts of climate change. Kuta, representing the Chairman of the African Regional Working Group, also stressed the importance of regional collaboration in managing shared water resources.
Irrigation and Drainage Expert Mr Razaq Jimoh highlighted the urgency of scaling up action, warning that progress remains slow, especially given shifting rainfall patterns and other climate-related challenges. He advocated for year-round food production through effective irrigation systems.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders across the continent to promote inclusive participation, enhance irrigation infrastructure, and foster regional cooperation to strengthen Africa’s agricultural resilience. NAN reports that several distinguished individuals were recognized at the award ceremony for their contributions to leadership and governance in the water and agriculture sectors.