Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum has announced his plans to boost agricultural productivity to enhance food security next year.
He disclosed this during a budget presentation on Monday at the state House of Assembly in Maiduguri.
While presentating the budget, the governor recalls his administration’s strides in the agricultural sector, noting that they have distributed seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural equipment to over 70,000 farmers in the state.
During the process, he explained that his government has invested in modern farming equipment to boost productivity, noting that these includes expanding irrigation infrastructure through borehole drilling and water pump installations an improving livestock breeding and production techniques.
Also, he said that they have key into implementation of strategies to minimize post-harvest losses and establishment of mega farms for various crops.
For the 2025 fiscal year, the government said it aims to further strengthen the sector by investing more in large-scale irrigation projects.
Other programs are distribution of high-quality seeds to farmers, providing subsidized fertilizers to farmers and enhancing grain storage facilities across the state.
To promot and encourage large-scale farming practices, Zulum said they would expand firgi farming to supplement food production.
Acknowledging the huge resources needed to achieve that goal, the government has allocated a substantial budget of N20,89bn to the state’s Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
