Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has hinted that his state was working towards export of cash crops and other farm products.
Zulum disclosed this on his official X handle @GovBorno on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
According to his tweet, the Governor gave the hint during a visit to the Koiri irrigation farm, one of the pilot drip irrigation schemes of his administration.
He informed that, Koiri scheme, covering about 20 hectares of land, aimed at producing 364 tons of maize and sesame in one crop cycle. With three cycles per year, the Koiri scheme is targeted to cultivate over 1,092 tons of maize and other crops annually.
In addition, the Governor stated that his administration would focus on investing in irrigation agriculture to maximise food production in the state.
“We will subsequently change focus and invest our resources in irrigation farming or, rather, food production. I assure you that we will provide the political will needed to achieve food sufficiency,” Zulum said.
He however, ordered the expansion of the scheme to 300 hectares, with 100 hectares to be cultivated in each senatorial zone:
“We need to expand our scope. We should identify bigger land; we can expand with another 100 hectares each in Borno Central, South and North.
“My predecessor has procured about 10,000 hectares of drip irrigation kits. After this year’s rainy season, we hope the state will be able to cultivate at least 1000 hectares.
“Let’s carefully put things in order. Borno State will start exporting sesame and other cash crops in the near future,” Zulum said.
