December 07, (THEWILL) – The Borno State government has lamented that insecurity bedevilling the Lake Chad Basin countries, especially by Nigeria and Niger Republic, has severely affected millet production which is now less than 10 percent.
The Secretary to Borno State Government, Dr Bukar Tijjani, made this pronouncement during an event, to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets, held in Maiduguri, on Wednesday, noted that Nigeria and Niger Republic, used to be the largest producers of millet in west Africa.
He warned that concerted efforts must be made to ensure millets would not become another endangered crops in the next few years .
“I have to re-echo this warnings, that if we are not careful, we will loose millet as crops in the next few years to come because of two things; the farmers refuse to produce and if the consumers refuse to consume millet by the time farmers take their millet to the market and nobody buy it because it is difficult to process.
“In term of millet production, Nigeria still stand and maintain a very good lead but then we can look at what we can do to improve.
“Nigeria and Niger Republic, are key producers of millet in sub region. Now the two countries are faced with different challenges that they can not produce to optimal, talk more of maximum, then we are to keep working hard to see that we move beyond and above the challenges we have.
He urged the governments, to ensure that the citizens eat locally produce foods instead of being advocate of the imported.
“If we don’t eat what we produce let us not go on social media, to complain that the price of rice is expensive when you have millet which is cheaper and you don’t want to buy.
He urge development partners, to invest more in research farming around Lake Chad to end food insecurity.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, of Lake Chad Research Institute, Prof. Babagana Jugudum Kabir, the Institute has improved the variety of millet which would enhance the farmer’s output and consumption.
He called on the policy makers and development partners to support and equip local farmers affected by the conflicts, to ensure affordable and accessible of foods in the country.
About the Author
I am Ladi Dapson, a general writer with thewill. I cover Borno and Yobe states respectively.
I based Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
I can be reached via [email protected].
Very high and kind regards!
