Farmers in Kaura local government area of Kaduna state have recorded increased harvests following a dry season farming intervention supported by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung.

Beneficiaries of the initiative, who received water pumping machines for irrigation, said the support had helped them expand their farms and improve their yields.

One of the farmers, Jonathan Luka, said he previously struggled with dry season farming due to a lack of resources but had now seen a significant improvement.

“Before, I could only harvest 10 to 15 baskets of tomatoes, but with the water pump, I have already gathered over 50 baskets—and counting,” he said.

Luka added that he had also planted sugarcane, which would provide additional income for his family.

Another beneficiary, Nathan Thomas Yashim, said he “now harvests 10 to 12 bags of pepper weekly” and had produced over 150 bags of sweet potatoes.

“We used to rely on other states for vegetables during the dry season, but now, we grow and even sell to other communities,” Yashim said, encouraging more young people to take up dry season farming.

Senator Katung, after inspecting some of the farms, said he was pleased with the results and pledged to extend the initiative to more communities.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Muslims in the country to use the Ramadan fasting season to pray for Nigeria’s growth and development.

In a statement on Friday, Tinubu said the Ramadan season “coincides with a period of renewed hope and progress for our nation”.

The president said his administration policies have started yielding “positive results,” noting that the country is witnessing “gradual stabilisation”.

Tinubu added that the foreign exchange rate has started “stabilising” and prices of food items are “now downward”.

“This year’s Ramadan holds special significance as it coincides with a period of renewed hope and progress for our nation,” the statement reads.

“Our administration’s bold and transformative policies are beginning to yield positive results, as evidenced by the gradual stabilisation of our economy.

“The Gross Domestic Product for the last quarter of 2024 showed a marked improvement over the same period in 2023.

“The once-soaring prices of essential food items are now downward, providing much-needed relief to our fasting population and all Nigerians. The exchange rate is stabilising, and fuel prices are declining, signalling a brighter future.

“As the wet season approaches, we remain steadfast in boosting agricultural productivity.

“We are determined to enhance food production and ensure self-sufficiency and food security for all Nigerians through targeted input support, mechanisation, and innovative farming initiatives.

“In this sacred month, I call on all Nigerians to join hands in prayer and action for our beloved country’s continued growth and development.

“Let us fervently seek Allah’s guidance and protection for our nation, and let our words and deeds reflect our shared commitment to peace, unity, and progress.”

Ramadan is a significant month in Islam, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.

The Ramadan fasting period in Nigeria lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon, as per the Islamic lunar calendar.

Some minutes ago, Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, announced the sighting of the crescent moon for the commencement of Ramadan fasting on Saturday.