Vegetable farmers want irrigation site, say it will be a goldmine

Some of the farmers who spoke with our reporter in Lamingo and Rayfield in Jos said given the unique Jos weather, an irrigation site with several thousands of hectares will meet the fresh vegetable export target from the state.
Ishaya Izang owns a small vegetable farm where he produces tomatoes, cabbage and green beans at the bank of the Lamingo Dam. He said access to land is a major problem to people who want to start farming vegetables.
“If we have a government owned irrigation site where farmers are given portions to farm, many youths who are just drinking ‘goskolo’ (a local gin) in town and fomenting trouble will be gainfully employed,” Izang said.
“We have the potentials. We just need government to come in by providing an irrigated area for the people. Women, men and even young people will gladly engage themselves and make good money to support themselves and their families,” Joseph Dalyop, a vegetable farmer in Rayfield also said.
The 51-year-old farmer said people are willing to take up farming particularly of vegetables but are constrained by access to land.
Some of the farmers who spoke with this reporter expressed strong desire for a modern irrigation site for fresh vegetables, noting that a lot of money will be generated from the site.
For John Goyit who wishes to start a vegetable farm, “such an irrigation site will be a goldmine for both farmers and government.”