The Borno State Government; is to cultivate 10,000 hectres of farmlands to boost food security and employment among youths in the state. Food security; is one of the 10-point transformation agenda of Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration. This was disclosed Saturday in Maiduguri; during a media chat with the Governor to round off 10-day inter-ministerial briefings to mark one year in office. “We’ll expand areas of land for cultivation from 4,000 to 10, 000 hectres of farmlands during this year’s planting season,” he said. He noted that state government wound no longer depends on food interventions from international donor and other humanitarian agencies. This is why he said; his administration is investing heavily in agricultural sector; to create more job opportunities and ensure food security. He said the siting of farms in Konduga, Ngala, Dikwa, Mafa, Gubio, Damboa, Biu, Askira/Uba, Magumeri and Kaga, were based on councils’ comparative advantages of producing five different crops. He declared that government can no longer depend on food intervention from international organisations hence the massive investment in the agricultural sector. According to him, government has procured N1.5 billion equipment for clearing of farmlands, purchased fertiliser worth N300 million to boost farming activities at the mega farms. He told journalists that insurgency has led to massive displacements with increased level of food insecurity. “The overall devastating impact, has led to colossal losses in livestock, irrigation and farming facilities during the decade long Boko Haram insurgency,” he lamented. He said the sitting of farmlands in Konduga, Ngala, Dikwa, Mafa, Gubio, Damboa, Biu, Askira/Uba, Magumeri and Kaga councils were based on their respective comparative advantages of producing five different crops. Speaking on the education sector, he said that technical education would be at the basic level of education to bridge the gap between skilled knowledge and the state’s labour market. He therefore, pledged to weed out unqualified teachers from public schools in an effort to improve the standard of education; particularly at the ‘nursery and primary’ school level. The Governor also urged the people to be steadfast and prayerful to overcome the over decade long security situation confronting the state
