The Borno State Agricultural sector, has suffered the 2021 budgetary allocation of 4.64% of N248 billion assented appropriation bill by Governor Babagana Zulum. This year’s budget; which was raised by 14% from N208 billion to N248 billion by State House of Assembly; has N135.1 billion capital expenditures, while recurrent expenditures stood at N72 billion. While presenting the budget on December 9, 2021, Governor Babagana Zulum said: “As the Agriculture sector, is one of10-pact agenda of state government, N11.5 billion has been earmarked for its capital and recurrent expenditures. “It is our intention during the next farming season to cultivate 65,000 hectres of farmlands. “We’re also supporting 100,000 farmers to enhance irrigation farming,” adding that seedlings, machineries, and interest free loans, are also to be provided to the teeming farmers. According to him, the agricultural production targets, are 30,000 hectres for sesame seeds, 10,000 hectres each for maize and rice. He said that while 5,000 hectres each for the production of sorghum, cowpea and groundnuts. “To successfully undertake farming projects, the Ministry of Agriculture, is allocated N11.49 billion this financial year for both capital and recurrent expenditures,” he said, noting that farmers in the 27 councils, are to be reached and mobilize interventions from financial institutions for farmers’ incentives. He also charged all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to strictly abide with budgetary provisions, while implementing the appropriation bill. He also directed his cabinet members to accelerate activities in their ministries to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. “In 2021, the administration will sustain its priority on security, education, healthcare, agriculture and water supply,” he said. He said there will be reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs and refugees. According to him, the N40 billion increase in budget, was to rehabilitate four dormant industries.
