NASENI Introduces Solar Irrigation Technology to Boost Farming in Kano

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has introduced solar-powered irrigation systems in selected communities in Kano State, as part of efforts to reduce the cost of farming and improve food production.

The technology was demonstrated at irrigation sites in Zakirai, Gabasawa Local Government Area, and Tudun Kaba in Kumbotso Local Government Area.

Speaking during the demonstration, the Director of Technical Services, Engineer Dr. Emmanuel A. Ajani, who represented the Director-General of NASENI, Engineer Khalil Sulaiman Halilu, said the initiative was being implemented in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

He explained that the solar-powered systems were designed to address some of the major challenges confronting farmers, particularly the high cost of fuel used to operate conventional water pumps.

According to him, the adoption of solar energy for irrigation would provide farmers with a cheaper, more reliable and environmentally sustainable means of accessing water for agricultural production.

Also speaking, Dr. Adebayo Oke of the International Water Management Institute, Accra, Ghana, said IWMI was working with the Federal Government to train farmers on the proper operation and effective use of the new irrigation technology.

He said the project was aimed at encouraging farmers to embrace modern and sustainable irrigation methods, especially in communities where the high cost of energy has continued to limit agricultural activities.

An official of the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KARDA) in Kumbotso, Alhaji Musa Yahaya, described the initiative as a welcome development that would further strengthen agricultural production in the state.

He said the Kano State Government remained committed to supporting interventions that would increase farmers' productivity and reduce the cost of agricultural production.

Farmers who witnessed the demonstration from Gabasawa and Kumbotso expressed optimism that the solar-powered irrigation systems would reduce their dependence on petrol and diesel-powered pumps.

They noted that the technology could significantly lower their production costs while making irrigation more accessible and convenient.

The initiative is expected to promote year-round farming, increase food production, reduce farmers' operating costs and improve the livelihoods of farming communities across Kano State.

NASENI Distributes Clean Energy Solutions to 2,000 Kano Households - By Jamilu Adam

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has empowered over 2,000 households in Kano State with clean energy technologies under its Sustainable Empowerment Programme.

The initiative, flagged off on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Fabs Event Centre in Kano, provided beneficiaries with clean cookstoves, solar home systems, and other energy solutions designed to improve access to reliable and environmentally friendly power, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities.

Flagging off the programme, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, described the intervention as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to translating industrial and economic policies into tangible benefits for citizens.

She commended NASENI for driving innovation and promoting local production, noting that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the areas of industrialisation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.

The minister also highlighted Kano’s strategic importance, describing the state as a historic commercial and manufacturing hub in West Africa with strengths in trade, textiles, agro-processing, and enterprise.

According to her, the programme also supports the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by promoting local technology deployment and enhancing productive capacity among households and small businesses.

In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the initiative is part of the agency’s broader Zero Carbon (ZeCo) Project aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner energy solutions across the country.

He explained that the distributed technologies are locally produced and tailored to meet Nigerian realities, adding that the programme is designed not only to support households but also to improve livelihoods and economic productivity.

Halilu urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the items, noting that the intervention is a step toward building a cleaner, healthier, and more economically resilient society.

Goodwill messages were delivered by key stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Mohammed Dahiru; the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Chris Osa Isokpunwu; the National Coordinator of AfCFTA, Patience Okala; and the Kano State Head of Service, represented by Salisu Mustapha.

The programme forms part of NASENI’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable development through innovation, local manufacturing, and clean energy adoption.