Governor Zulum pledges robust support for farmers to boost food security
By Tada Juthan
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has vowed to support farmers with various inputs to boost food security and employment in the three senatorial districts.
According to him, the rising market prices of food items could be crushed by the farmers’ massive production of crops, vegetables and livestock.
Zulum made the pledges over the weekend at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport (MBIA), Maiduguri, after returning from an official one-month vacation in Saudi Arabia.
His words: “We will ensure that we do more than what we did for the people in the state.
“I know there are several challenges in the country, particularly the problems of scarcity of the various food items in the markets.”
He stated that the challenges of food insecurity are, temporary, as the rising market prices will be crushed by increased production of crops and vegetables.
“The current market price of tomatoes in Maiduguri is about N80,000 per basket, but with the support of farmers with inputs including water pumps and fertilisers, the price of tomatoes could be crushed by 50 percent.”
“Besides farmers support with inputs, from now up to the end of our administration, we will concentrate on farming,” stating that the cultivated land will be expanded to ensure food security in the state.
He said that while partnering with the federal government in the agricultural and livestock sectors, the state government will distribute improved seeds of the major crops grown in each of the senatorial districts.
“We’ll continue to partner with the federal government to create more jobs and ensure food security in the state,” declared the governor.
On the recently concluded Hajj exercise, he said, “As far as I am concerned, there is improvement in the Hajj operations this year compared to the previous ones.
“I think this is one of the best hajj operations in recent times.”
He, therefore, commended the federal government and the National Hajj Commission (NAHCOM) for ensuring a hitch-free hajj operation in S’Arabia.
