Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state; has supported 2,500 farmers to produce the ‘wonder crop’ of masakwa in five Local Government Areas. According to him, Masakwa is not a rain fed or irrigated crop in arid regions, but grows to maturity for harvests in January or February of each year. Instead of planting seeds of Masakwa, it seedlings are raised in nursery beds; before transplanting the seedlings into five-seven inch sunken holes with a cup of water. Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Bukar Talba disclosed this Monday in Maiduguri; at inter-ministerial briefings on Zulum’s one year administration in the agriculture sector. His words: “The targeted farmers, who were each support by Zulum with N5, 000 to raised masakwa seedlings, are drawn from Dikwa, Mafa, Ngala, Gwoza and Bama councils. “In Zulum’s efforts to reinvigorate the old age farming of Masakwa (sorghum) production; which is only known in Borno state, has embarked on sensitization of farmers in Firgi area and Marte/Dikwa axis.” He said that the farmers are to commence production of the wonder crop by October this year, after they have raised the Masakwa seedlings for transplanting. Speaking on drought resistant crop, he said: “Masakwa sorghum is being transplanted immediately the rainfall ceases. “The crop grows on residual moisture and mature within two months of transplanting with a proven high yields. “To enable the 2,500 farmers raise Masakwa seedlings, the Ministry supported each of them with N5, 000.”
