FG, Ogun empower farmers with solar irrigating machines

No fewer than 300 farmers have been empowered by the Ogun State Government in conjunction with National FADAMA with solar water pumps, to ease their farming business during the dry season. Presenting the items at FADAMA Coordination Office in Abeokuta, the Programme Manager, OGUN-CARES FADAMA, Mrs. Solape Awe, said the solar pumps would aid the vegetable and rice farmers to irrigate their farms during the dry season so as to produce vegetables in commercial quantities.

She added that the solar pumps would save them from buying fuel for power-pumping machines and enable them to utilise the pumps efficiently for maximum profit.

Taking the beneficiaries through the use of the pumping machine, the officer in charge of engineering services at FADAMA, Engr. Oluwatoyin Odejobi, said the 60-watt capacity machine is durable and can pump 1 litre of water per second, as well as work with any irrigation kit.

Odejobi, while enumerating its advantages, said the solar pump has spare parts, a hose, and tools at zero fuel cost, and can be assembled and dismantled after use, advising the users to ensure the panel faces the direction of the sun during use.

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr. Ogundare Kehinde from Agada, Imeko-Afon Local Government, and Mrs. Monsurat Idowu from Olorunda, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, expressed joy that the irrigating machines given to them would solve the problems associated with wetting of their vegetables during the dry season.

They applauded the state and federal governments for responding to their needs, expressing hope of good yields and better profits.