Zulum advocates for agricultural investments to end terrorism in Nigeria and others
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has advocated for increased investments in the agricultural sector to address terrorism in Nigeria and other countries.
According to him, the agricultural investments’ roles will end terrorism and conflicts that have claimed many lives and property in Africa.
Zulum made the advocacy while speaking on a panel discussion on Public-Private and Development Partnership for Agric-Food Transformation at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, in Oyo State.
The event was part of a three-day working visit of the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio to Nigeria.
The president’s visit to IITA was to explore innovative agricultural practices that can strengthen strategic partnerships between the two countries.
With Sierra Leone’s history of conflict, President Bio is eager to adopt the agricultural strategies that have proven effective in conflict-affected regions.
Besides adopting the agricultural strategies, Bio stated, “We’re keen and ready to learn from Borno state’s agricultural initiatives,” noting that the strategy had demonstrated a remarkable resilience, despite the 15-year Boko Haram insurgency in the state.
Speaking alongside Governors Seyi Makinde and Caleb Mutfwang of Oyo and Plateau states, Zulum shared insights into Borno’s agricultural transformation.
Highlighting the investments in solar-powered irrigation, large-scale farming, and public-private partnerships, he stated, “Our strategic investments in the agricultural sector have yielded remarkable results to boost employment and food security.”
He said that the state government has already procured over 1,000 each of tractors and combined harvesters, including other agricultural machinery.
He noted that agricultural equipment and machinery are key to boosting food security, economic growth, and development.
Zulum, therefore, emphasised that leveraging technology, large-scale farming, and climate-smart agriculture can address insecurity in creating a sustainable and inclusive agricultural system across Africa.
He attributed the humanitarian crisis in the Northeast to the Boko Haram insurgency that devastated social and economic sectors that fuelled poverty and fragility in the sub-region.
Zulum continued, “To tackle insurgency, we must address its root causes, including abject poverty and pervasive illiteracy among the people.
“When I assumed office in May 2019, vast agricultural lands were, however, left uncultivated.
“I immediately commenced the establishment of mega farms in relatively peaceful areas to reverse the insecurity trends in the state.
