The government of Borno State is aiming to achieve food self-sufficiency and export cash crops and other agricultural produce like cassava and maize, among other things.

This was disclosed by Governor Babagana Zulum on Wednesday during his visit to the Bokkoiri irrigation farm in Konduga Local Government Area, which is located along Magumeri Road.

In an effort to become self-sufficient, Zulüm stated that the state is able to export cash crops such as sesame, cassava, and maize.

In order to maximize food production in the state, he said, the government would concentrate its investments in irrigation agriculture.

“Let’s carefully put things in order. Borno State will start exporting sesame and other cash crops in the near future.

“We will subsequently change focus and invest our resources in irrigation farming for adequate food production. I assure you that we will provide the political will needed to achieve food sufficiency,” Zulum said.

According to him, the program, which occupied roughly 20 hectares of land, was designed to yield 364 tons of sesame and maize in a single crop cycle. The Koiri project aims to cultivate over 1,092 tons of maize and other crops annually with three cycles per year.

The governor gave the ministry instructions to enlarge the scheme to 300 hectares; 100 hectares in each of the three senatorial zones.

“We need to expand our scope. We should identify bigger land; we can expand with another 100 hectares each in Borno Central, South and North.

“My predecessor has procured about 10,000 hectares of drip irrigation kits. After this year’s rainy season, we hope the state will be able to cultivate at least 1000 hectares,” he added.

In addition to other government representatives, Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijjani, the Commissioners for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bawu Musami, and Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar.