Fadama: A Study of its origin and Impact in Tomas Dam Area of Kano State, 1993-2019

Abstract

This study attempts to trace the history of the Fadama program in Kano State from 1993 to 2019. The Fadama
program was established to facilitate the farming of agricultural produce through mechanized farming and a modern
irrigation system. The study utilized oral sources primarily in the form of interviews and some relevant secondary
sources extracted from journals in agriculture and geography with a historical approach to their analysis. Prior to
the construction of the Tomas Dam, land use in the area was dominated by farming and grazing activities and the
traditional irrigation method. The study shows the significance of the Fadama I, II and III projects in the Tomas Dam
area of Kano State. The Fadama project promoted rice, tomato, and sorghum production and value chain. It engaged
women and youths, particularly in the establishment, operations, and management of the rice mill at Danmarke,
Tomas. The project was implemented through the farmers' organisation into the Fadama User Organization. It was
supervised by relevant government ministries such as the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Water, the Kano
State Ministry of Agriculture, the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria.