Chinese firm to supply irrigation equipment to Nigeria’s Borno State A Chinese agricultural firm, Rainfine Irrigation Solution, is to supply and install 50 units of pivot irrigation equipment to cover 1,700 hectares of farmlands in different parts of Borno State in northern Nigeria. The projects would increase the number of irrigation projects and cropping periods in the state.The agreement was reached between the State government and Rainfine Irrigation Solution after Governor Kashim Shettima and members of the state’s agricultural transformation team assessed equipment, made selections and held discussions with the management of the Chinese firm in Dalian, Shandong province of China. According to the terms of the contract, "the contract provided two months within which the Chinese company is to customize, export and install the equipment in farms located in the three senatorial zones of the state." The scheme aims to make particular focus on northern Borno which has the highest poverty and unemployment rate in the state. When installed, each of the 50 units of equipment will provide artificial rains for crops, covering 35 hectares of land in each functional rotation. Speaking at the occasion, Governor Shettima said that the state would place orders for more units after one cropping season of using the project. According to him, the state government is determined to harness the agricultural potential of Borno State which is the largest state in Nigeria with the most precious of natural resources which is fertile land for agriculture. Governor Kashim Shettima said “through our partnership with you as well as the irrigation projects we are already undertaking with Jain Irrigation Company of India and another American company, we will turn Borno green like what I have seen here in all parts of China. “And by that, we will create jobs, spread wealth and enhance food security. Our goal is to be the centre point of agriculture not only in Nigeria but in sub-Saharan Africa and we are working very hard to achieve this. I look forward to you fulfilling your own sides of the bargain,” the governor was quoted saying. In his remarks the Chief Executive of the Chinese company, Mr. Bai Yongsheng, said the company supplies irrigation equipment to the United States of America, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Georgia and many parts of the world due to its insistence on high products’ standard.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 10:16:34 +0000