Borno Targets Export Of Sesame, Others As Zulum Visits 20 Hectares Irrigation Farm

March 20, (THEWILL) – The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, said that his administration will focus on investing in irrigation agriculture to maximise food production which aims to export sesame in the coming years.

Zulum stated this on Tuesday, at the Koiri irrigation farm, one of the pilot drip irrigation schemes of his administration.

The Koiri scheme, covering about 20 hectares of land, aims to produce 364 tons of maize and sesame in one crop cycle. With three cycles per year, the Koiri scheme is targeted to cultivate over 1,092 tons of maize and other crops annually.

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

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

Zulum, however, ordered the expansion of the scheme to 300 hectares, with 100 hectares to be cultivated in each senatorial zone.

“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.”

Speaking further, he added, “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.” Zulum said.

Zulum was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijjani, Commissioners for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bawu Musami; Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar and members of the agricultural transformation team, among other government officials.