Bakolori Revival: Yari Targets Rice Production, Food Security

From Babangida Abdullahi, Gusau

Thousands of farmers under the Bakolori Irrigation Scheme in Zamfara State have expressed excitement over an intervention by Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar aimed at rehabilitating the troubled irrigation facility and boosting agricultural production.

Yari, who represents Zamfara West Senatorial District and chairs the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, facilitated the intervention following a request by the APEX Water Users Association in a letter dated October 4, 2026.

The Bakolori Irrigation Scheme, one of the largest in the country, has been battling faulty irrigation gates, siltation and blocked secondary drains, which have affected water distribution, undermined dry-season farming and threatened agricultural productivity.

Under the intervention, Yari has directed K.K Technologies Limited to commence immediate rehabilitation works. The exercise covers the repair of a faulty water gate supplying the irrigation area, servicing of another functioning gate and desilting of between 20 and 30 secondary drains within the scheme.

The company will also assess Anka, Bukkuyum and NATO dams to determine the extent of work required to address their challenges.

Beyond the rehabilitation, the intervention includes the provision of fertiliser and agricultural equipment to Water Users Associations. The items include tractors, mini-tractors, power tillers, combine harvesters, as well as semi-mechanised and motorised transplanters. Arrangements have also been made to ensure their proper maintenance and utilisation.

Speaking during a visit by the Danfako Media crew to the rehabilitation site, Project Manager of the Bakolori Irrigation Scheme, Alhaji Umar Adamu, described the intervention as timely and capable of transforming agricultural activities in the area.

Adamu said the impact of the senator’s gesture could not be quantified, adding that the farmers were grateful for his response to their longstanding challenges.

He pledged to mobilise Bakolori irrigation farmers to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, Chairman of the Bakolori Water Users Association, Alhaji Yakubu Abubakar Marafa, described the intervention as a major relief for more than 80,000 registered and unregistered members of the association.

He said Yari had demonstrated commitment to the welfare of his constituents by responding to their needs and addressing challenges affecting their livelihoods.

Marafa also pledged to mobilise thousands of association members to support the senator in discharging his responsibilities as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Meanwhile, Yari has promised to engage the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to secure a permanent solution to the persistent siltation of the dam.

The rehabilitation, when completed, is expected to improve water supply to thousands of hectares of farmland, enhance dry-season farming and increase rice production, potentially restoring Bakolori’s position as a major agricultural hub and food basket of Zamfara State.