Zulum distributes irrigation farm inputs to boost production in Borno
By Tada JUTHA, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state; has distributed irrigation farm inputs to 2,000 farmers to boost production of rice and vegetables in Mobbar and Abadam local Councils.
The 2021/22 Damasak irrigation scheme is sited in the Kumadugu/Yobe River Basin affected in the 12-year Boko Haram insurgency.
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While the distributed inputs comprise water pumps, rice seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, 2,000 and 50. 000 litres each of lubricants and petrol.
Presenting the input packages at the weekend in Damasak, he disclosed that farmers from Abadam local Council, yet to be resettled; will participate in the dry season irrigation scheme.
Besides the inputs, he directed the release of funds to sink 500 tube wells for farmers’ uninterrupted supply of irrigation waters for their rice fields.
He assured the farmers that as soon as their community is rebuilt, they will be returned to pick up their lives with livelihood activities in the Basin, including fishing in the River.
While inspecting the N450 million constituency water project by Sen. Abubakar Kyari, representing Borno north senatorial district, Zulum disclosed that 950,000 litres of potable water will be provided with three deep aquifers in Damasak, a border community with Niger.
“The water supply project was to create more jobs and boost irrigation farming to ensure recovery of livelihoods in border area communities,” he said.
The Governor noted that it will also ensure food security, instead of relying on food aid from government and humanitarian agencies in the state.
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“This will have direct positive impacts on the lives of the people that have just returned from Maiduguri IDP camps,” he said.
On Zulum’s delegation to Damasak include Sen, Kyari, and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, former Minister of State for Agriculture, Abubakar Tijjani, Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Mai Mele Sugum and members of the house representing Mobbar and Abadam constituencies.
