Katsina Gov Inaugurates $1m Project to Protect Farmers From Floods, Drought

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, has inaugurated a $1 million climate-resilience project designed to protect farmers from the growing threats of flooding and drought in the state.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening the resilience of farming communities by improving their ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from climate-related disasters.

The project is expected to support farmers through measures focused on water management, climate adaptation and improved agricultural practices, helping to reduce losses caused by extreme weather conditions.

Agriculture remains a major source of livelihood in Katsina, with a large proportion of the state’s population engaged directly or indirectly in farming and livestock production. The increasing frequency of floods and prolonged dry periods, however, continues to pose challenges to agricultural productivity and food security.

The state government has increasingly prioritised climate adaptation and disaster-risk reduction as part of its agricultural development agenda.

Governor Radda has stressed the importance of strengthening water infrastructure and supporting farmers, describing agriculture as central to the state’s economic development. His administration has also approved flood and erosion control projects across 37 communities identified as vulnerable during the rainy season.

The new project is expected to complement these interventions by addressing both sides of the climate challenge — excessive water during floods and insufficient water during periods of drought.

The governor’s administration has also been working to improve access to agricultural inputs and modern farming techniques. In April, the state launched its 2026 fertiliser programme, with subsidised fertiliser distributed across the state to support farmers during the planting season.

Radda has said that strengthening agricultural infrastructure is essential to protecting livelihoods and ensuring food security, particularly as climate change continues to affect farming patterns.

The climate-resilience project is therefore expected to provide additional support to vulnerable farming communities while helping farmers adapt to changing weather conditions.

The intervention forms part of broader efforts to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient in Katsina, while reducing the economic impact of climate-related disasters on rural communities.

The state government is expected to continue working with relevant partners and agricultural stakeholders to expand climate-smart farming and improve farmers’ capacity to respond to future environmental challenges.