Vice President Kashim Shettima led the 152nd meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday where members approved the nationwide deployment of solar-powered irrigation pumps manufactured by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in preparation for the 2025 dry season agriculture.
The solar pumps, intended to replace petrol-powered alternatives, aim to enhance food security by increasing agricultural productivity, reducing operational costs, boosting farmers’ incomes, and improving the livelihoods of those in rural areas.
Shettima noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s food security strategy, which encompasses various ongoing interventions.
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“Recently, we have insured 250,000 farmers across eight states, the 30 percent Value Addition Bill is progressing, and the ₦250 billion Bank of Agriculture facility is being activated to support smallholder farmers,” the vice president stated during the discussions.
He emphasized that the introduction of solar irrigation technology is a vital move to reduce farmers’ dependence on expensive fuel pumps, thereby alleviating the impact of rising energy costs on agricultural production.
The deployment of the pumps is set to begin before the next dry season.
