Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has engaged 1,000 farmers with solar-powered irrigation pumps and other critical agricultural inputs to boost food security and the livelihoods of farmers affected by the over-a-decade-long Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

According to him, the farmers’ massive empowerment initiatives have targeted small-scale irrigation farmers in the Kumadugu/Yobe River Basin of Borno.

Speaking on Sunday at Damaturu, a border community with Niger, Zulum said: “From the beginning of this administration in 2019, dry-season irrigation farming was intended to enhance the livelihoods of IDP returnees, who are gradually resettling in their communities in Mobbar Local Government Area (LGA).”

He added that the efficient and effective application of distributed irrigation inputs could also ensure food security and employment for youths and women in the council areas.

Beyond the engagement of farmers in the dry season, the governor stated, “In recognition of the limitations of rain-fed agriculture, particularly in the context of climate change and insecurity, the state government adopted an all-year-round farming activities.

Recognising the critical limitations of rain-fed agriculture amid climate change, insecurity, and the rising number of IDP returnees, the state government implemented a dual-season production strategy to ensure year-round farming.

He continued, “Today’s distribution of 1,000 solar-powered water pumps and 200 complete tubewells drilling kits was built upon earlier targeted interventions in Damasak and surrounding communities, including irrigation infrastructure development, mechanisation services, farmer-training, cooperative support, and security stabilisation measures.”

He further stated, “The state remains aligned with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and continued collaboration with relevant Federal Ministries and development partners to strengthen agricultural productivity, processing, and market integration in the Northeast region.”

Zulum was accompanied to the border community with Niger by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and other senior government officials from the state’s agricultural sector.