The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) is to partner Borno state in fish production and processing to fight unemployment and poverty in the country. According to NALDA, “We’re going to engage 2,040 young farmers into fish farming in the state.” He said the engagement of youths is being implemented under the National Young Farmers Scheme (NYFS) which was launched by the President last year. “They will begin to be employers of labour and begin to make money for themselves and families.” He said that NALDA is placing orders for two million bags from the state’s Boplast sack-making factory. While announcing the engagement of youths Tuesday in Maiduguri, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne disclosed that the farmers will be trained and properly equipped. He added that the fish farmers will also be trained in fish processing and packaging. His words: “Your Excellency; we are in your state based on Mr. President’s directives that we should activate, recover and reactivate NALDA abandoned farm estates across the country. “We are to inform you that Borno state has been chosen as one of the states for all the pilot programmes of land authority.” Ikonne who described Prof. Babagana Zulum as; “The Agric Governor of Nigeria,” said: “We’ve seen what you’re doing and your equipment; it makes it very easy for NALDA to partner with you. “But the good news is that we’re starting fish farming across the country and Borno has been chosen with one other as a pilot state.” He said being Governor at this time when Mr. President is the president, noting that it is not by accident, but by divine intervention. He said that there must be challenges, but when Zulum overcomes them, the people will celebrate. He therefore assured that the land authority will partner with the Governor to empower the youths with fish and agricultural programmes. While thanking Ikonne, Zulum disclosed that the partnership in job creation and agricultural value chain could reduce unemployment and poverty among youths. He said the state, which has a landmass of 76,000 square kilometers, 60,800 kilometres or 80 per cent are arable for the production of various crops. He added that the state has also comparative advantages in the production of Gum Arabic, sesame seeds, ginger and cotton for local consumption and export.
