By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Governor Ahmed Akiyu led government in Sokoto state has continue to show unwavering dedication to food sufficiency through his numerous efforts towards boosting agriculture in the State, Hon.Tukur Alkali has said.
Tukur, who is the Commissioner for Agriculture made this disclosure during an exclusive interview with DAYLIGHT REPORTERS, in Sokoto, adding, the governor, Ahmed Aliyu has also completed the long abandoned Kware irrigation scheme which has the potential of engaging thousands of youths positively.
According to the commissioner, Sokoto is known for its agricultural prowess considering the fact that over 90 percent of it’s populace are into animal rearing or crop farming.
“Sokoto as you all know is the largest producer of onion in Nigeria and even in sub Sahel Africa”.
With agriculture at the top of his 9 Point Smart Agenda, governor Ahmed Aliyu on assuming office declared 100 percent support for the ministry.
“When governor Ahmed Aliyu assumed office, agriculture was almost abandoned by his immediate predecessor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. The governor therefore reviewed the agricultural blueprint of his mentor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and resolved to not only restore the glory of agriculture but make it lucratively modernized.
The Governor therefore ordered the purchase of 250 Tractors to help boost the sector. And been aware that the State has a long dry season yearly, he listed out abandoned irrigation projects for completion to allow for all year round farming activities.
“He instantly gave contract for the construction of the Kware Irrigation Scheme which covers an expanse of over about 450 hectares.
“And in demonstration of his commitment to food security, governor Ahmed Aliyu during his first 100 days in office, invited Vice President Kashim Shettima to flag off the distribution of food items worth over 5bn to the less privileged.
“This was followed by the free distribution of 66 truck loads of fertilizers of various categories (Urea, NKP, Insecticides, Herbicides) as well as other farm inputs to farmers in the state for the year 2024 dry season farming after cheerfully donating food items worth over 1bn to those Internally Displaced from their homes because of insecurity.
“And in Klkeeping to his promise of making agriculture lucrative once again, the governor in 2024 employ 200 Veterinary doctors to help improve livestock development.
“This is in addition to the purchased of fertilizers and other agro chemicals worth over 5bn in 2025 which was resold to farmers at a highly subsidized rate of 40 percent discount”.
Continuing, the commissioner, Tukur Alkali said, “recently, Glgovernor Ahmed Aliyu gave the contract for the reconstruction of the over 200 years abandoned lungu dam project in Wurno local government
“And Sokoto being the largest producer of onions in the entire country, in 2025 entered into a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and flagged off the construction of cold onion facility to ensure stable availability of onion and reduce post harvest wastages. This is in addition to training and engagement of more extension workers to help sensitise farmers on new methods of farming, weather study and fertilizer usage amongst others”.
The Commissioner further disclosed
governor Ahmed Aliyu, always matches his words with action, as indicated in the 2026 budget where substantial allocation was made for the rehabilitation of at least 2 to 3 of the irrigational schemes that have been abandoned in selected villages across the 3 Senatorial Districts of the State.
