As part of efforts to boost rice and sugar production in the country, the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA), is set to irrigate 10,000 hectares in Kwara and Kogi states.

Managing Director, LNRBDA, Mr Niyi Afolayan, who stated this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said that the $30 million contract for the irrigation project had been awarded and would also cover 3,800 hectares at Tada/Shonga.

According to him, when completed, the Tada/Shonga irrigation project would produce enough rice to feed the nation. Afolayan said that Kampe dam between Kabba and Lokoja would irrigate 4,200 hectares for rice and sugar cultivation He added that the Dangote Group had indicated interest in investing in irrigation around Kampe dam, noting that the land was suitable for sugar cane cultivation.

Afolayan, who said that the authority had embarked on the irrigation of 500 hectares in the area, added that corporate farmers had signified interest in cultivating land around Kampe dam.

Afolayan said Landmark University in Omu-Aran, had applied for 1,000 hectares and another 1,000 hectares for its graduate farmers who are interested in fish farming.