By Abdul Kareem
Following our previous report on Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s intent to transform Borno State into an agrarian export powerhouse, the Governor has now taken concrete steps towards realizing this vision with the inauguration of a cutting-edge solar irrigation pump station in Damasak, in the northern part of the state.
Echoing the sentiments of our last feature titled ‘One Sesame Seed at a Time’, the Governor is indeed sowing the seeds of change in Borno’s agricultural landscape. The new irrigation facility, with a robust 90-horsepower capacity, is part of a broader strategy to pivots the state from dependency on aid to becoming a self-sufficient food production state.
This irrigation pump station, which is powered by a 115 Kilowatt solar farm, equips farmers with three units of 30HP pumps that discharge water at a rate of 225 litres per second. This setup is designed to irrigate 125 hectares of rice fields, with 105 discharge points offering a lifeline to the agricultural community.
Governor Zulum’s administration is decisively moving away from temporary food assistance towards fostering a robust agricultural sector.
“We are shifting our focus from shorter-term humanitarian support to medium and longer-term sustainable solutions, which is agriculture,” reiterated Governor Zulum during the unveiling.
Adding to the state’s agricultural support system, Governor Zulum has also launched a subsidised petrol scheme for farmers, offering fuel at N500 per litre to aid dry season farming activities. This move is complemented by the provision of one million litres of petrol, distributed across the state’s local government areas.
The state’s agricultural revolution is further supported by the procurement of 20,000 bags of fertiliser, 1,000 solar-powered water pumps, and 5,000 additional water pump machines. These will be distributed to farmers in all three senatorial districts, aiming to address irrigation challenges and boost productivity.
During his time in Damasak, Governor Zulum oversaw the distribution of essential farming supplies to 4,500 farmers from the Mobar and Abadam Local Government Areas. The distribution included fertilisers, water pumps, and agrochemicals, equipping the farmers to maximize their yield during the dry season.
Governor Zulum also took time to inspect the expanded Ngalayi scheme, which has grown from 500 hectares in 2022 to over 1,500 hectares, reflecting the state’s ambitious agricultural expansion plans.
The Borno State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Bawu Musami, commended Governor Zulum’s accomplishments in the sector, including the establishment of modern, climate-adaptive irrigation schemes in various localities. These projects are set to be replicated throughout the state, ensuring that Borno’s agricultural transformation is both comprehensive and inclusive.
These initiatives by Governor Zulum are a testament to the commitment of the Borno State Government to rewrite the state’s narrative, ‘one sesame seed at a time’, building a resilient and sustainable agricultural economy.
Keep following The Humanitarian Times news for detailed coverage on Borno State’s journey to agricultural excellence and updates on Governor Zulum’s transformative projects.
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