The Borno State Government; is to cultivate 10,000 hectres of
farmlands to restore lost harvests of 95,000 metric tons of crops to
Boko Haram insurgency.
The farmers lost their crops, following the displacements of 1.5
million people currently taking refuge at 24 Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs) camps.
The IDP camps are located in Maiduguri, Monguno, Damboa, Gwoza, Pulka,
Dikwa and Gambouru, a border community with Cameroon.
The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Bukar Talba disclosed
this yesterday (Sunday) in Maiduguri, while unfolding measures restore
livelihoods of farmers in various camps.
According to him; “Food security is one of 10- point transformation
agenda of Governor Babagana Zulum.
He noted that restoration of farmers’ lost livelihoods and incomes
were also to boost food security in insurgency affected communities.
He said the secured communities, are located in 23 Local Government
Areas with the establishment of local authorities protect farmers by
deploying dozens of Agro Rangers.
He added that the rangers drawn from Nigeria Civil Defence Corps
(NCDC) and Rapid Response Squad (RRS); are to operate in the Maiduguri
environs and community farmlands along
Maiduguri/Damaturu/Monguno/Bama/Gubio roads.
“This will enable us expand areas of land under cultivation from 4,000
to 10, 000 hectres of farmlands during this year’s planting season,”
he said.
He noted that the state government wound no longer depends on food
interventions from international donor and other humanitarian
agencies.
This is why he said the state government is investing heavily in
agricultural sector; to create more job opportunities and ensure food
security.
According to him, siting of mega farmlands 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 said the crops to be replenished this year, include maize, sorghum,
rice, beans and millet that are produced under harsh and dry climatic
conditions.
“Government can no longer depend on food intervention from
international organisations hence the massive investment in the
agricultural sector,” he said.
Already; he said that government has procured N1.5 billion equipment
for clearing of farmlands, and distribute fertilisers worth N300
million to restore farmers’ livelihoods destroyed during over 10-year
insurgency.
He said that these measures will not only restore decade long lost
crops of IDP farmers, but boost their mega farms harvests.
While lamenting farmers’ decade long displacements, he said: “The
insurgents have massively displaced our farmers in the
Marte/Dikwa/Bama/ Gwoza farming axis of Borno.”
He explained that the overall devastating impact, has led to colossal
losses in livestock, irrigation and farming facilities between 2013
and 2016.
He said the sitting of about 10 mega farms in council headquarters of
Konduga, Ngala, Dikwa, Mafa, Gubio, Damboa, Magumeri and Kaga with
five-foot dug trenches, were to protect farmers against insurgents;
while they till their farmlands.
Speaking on the wonder crop of masakwa (sorghum), he said: “We’vehas
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, but
grows to maturity for harvests in January or February of each year.
Instead of planting seeds of Masakwa, the seedlings are raised in
nursery beds; before transplanting each into five-seven inch sunken
holes with a cup of water.
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.
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.”
According to him, this will allow 56,000 Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) from 28 communities engage in dry season farming and fishing.
Over 50 per cent of fish requirements of Maiduguri metropolis are also
cached from the Lake Alau Dam.
Governor Zulum said that after displacement and sack of communities,
IDPs are still facing “hunger and malnutrition” among adults and
children.
While speaking on resumption of irrigation farming and fishing at Lake
Alau Dam, the Governor said: “We are collaborating with the military
and other security agencies to beef up security on lake and its
shores.
“This will enable our farmers and fisher folks to resume their
activities in the lake and farmlands of Laujeri community.
He appealed to the Federal Government to provide irrigation facilities
and equipment, as dry season farming has commenced in earnest.
On securing communities, he said: “To secure Lake Alau and its
adjourning communities and villages, a 25-kilometre trench is being
dug from Laujeri to Maiduguri and Molai,” stating that it could
prevent insurgents from attacking farming communities.
