The Katsina State Government says it will construct a Dam in Danja Local Government Area in order to boost sugarcane production and irrigation activities in the state.
Gov. Aminu Masari told newsmen in Katsina on Saturday that his administration had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm on the project.
“Channels will be constructed, while the existing sugarcane factory will be upgraded to boost sugar production for both domestic and foreign consumption,’’ he said.
Masari said that the Danja Sugarcane Factory, established for over 25 years ago, was neglected by previous administrations.
The governor said its revival had become imperative to hasten the diversification of the state’s economy.He said the project would also assist to create job opportunities, since the dam would enhance all-year-round cotton and rice farming.
“Research once showed that Katsina had comparative advantage in cotton and rice production as it produced 60 per cent of cotton in the country.“However, the production decreased over the years due to neglect. This latest effort is to reverse the trend as we have now identified the problems.
“We are also committed to providing rice farmers with processing machines and soft loans to boost rice production,’’ he said.
Masari said the government would continue to support farmers to enhance agricultural activities, describing the move as the sure way to get out of the current recession.
He reiterated that the governments of Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States had agreed to jointly import 250,000 metric tons of fertilizer for their farmers for dry season farming.
