Maiduguri, March 20, 2024: Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno on Wednesday revealed plans to begin exporting sesame and other cash crops as to achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture.
He said that Borno possessed the capacity to export maize, cassava and sesame among other cash crops aimed at attaining self-reliance.
The governor stated on Wednesday at the Bokkoiri irrigation farm along Magumeri road in Konduga Local Government Area.
Zulum said that his administration would focus on investing in irrigation agriculture to maximise food production in the state.
“Let’s carefully put things in order. Borno State will start exporting sesame and other cash crops in the near future.
“We will subsequently change focus and invest our resources in irrigation farming for adequate food production. I assure you that we will provide the political will needed to achieve food sufficiency,” Zulum said.
He said that the scheme, covering about 20 hectares of land, aimed to produce 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.
The governor ordered the expansion of the scheme to 300 hectares, 100 each for the three senatorial zones.
“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,” he added.
Zulum was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijjani, Commissioners for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bawu Musami, that of Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, and members of the agriculture transformation team, among other government officials.
