On Democracy Day, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State marked the occasion by showcasing various projects and initiatives focused on revitalizing the agricultural sector in the state.
The governor conducted an inspection tour of completed projects within the Maiduguri metropolis, highlighting them as tangible outcomes of democracy that the state should commemorate.
“We are going to establish mega sprinkler irrigation projects in six local government areas of the state this year,” the governor stated when he toured the State Farm House, taking stock of the quantity of fertiliser in store for this year’s farming season.
“We have already established two such projects,” he added. He did not mention the benefitting local government areas.
Zulum said the state’s proximity to Lake Chad is a significant advantage for the establishment of irrigation projects and revitalising agricultural activities.
He said the state is rich in groundwater due to its proximity to the lake, maintaining that “groundwater is never a limiting factor for irrigation projects at the shores of Lake Chad.”
Zulum observed that water reached five metres below the ground at the shores of Lake Chad, while in other parts of the state, shallow wells supply sufficient water.
In addition to the ongoing projects, Governor Babagana Zulum revealed his administration’s intention to revive the fertiliser blending factory, which was forced to shut down during the Boko Haram insurgency. The governor plans to pursue a Public-Private Partnership to revive the factory.
Furthermore, on June 13, Governor Zulum is scheduled to launch the distribution of 1,000 tractors for this year’s farming season. Each of the 27 local government areas in the state will receive five tractors as part of this initiative.
