The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has unveiled plans to partner with the Babanna Boarder Development Agency (BBDA) to check agricultural activities at the border.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the BBDA Mohammed Garba Danladi, in Abuja said partnership would assist the Ministry in monitoring agricultural activities at the borders in liaison with the agency and the host community.

The Minister pointed out the need for farmers’ data within and around the border communities given the several agricultural activities in the area, including the movement of Livestock across the border.

He, therefore, directed the setting up of a Joint Action Committee to work out modalities to formalize the relationship between the Ministry and the Agency through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The Committee comprised some Directors of the Ministry and Senior Officials of the Babanna Border Development Agency.

Speaking earlier, the Director-General of the Agency, Mohammed Garba Danladi, expressed delight over his visit to the Ministry, describing it as a homecoming.

He pointed out that the agency was the brainchild of the Federal Government charged with agricultural activities including crop production, and marketing while watching movements across the border as it is located at the border between Niger State and Benin Republic.

He, therefore, called for cooperation, support, and partnership with the Ministry to achieve the desired goal.

The Joint Action Committee is to be chaired by the Director Planning and Policy Coordination of the Ministry, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu was expected to present a draft Memorandum of Understanding in the next meeting of the Committee.