The Borno State Government is to partner Arab Bank for Economic Development (ABED) in the production of wheat and Gum Arabic for export to earn foreign exchange. The cash crops are to be produced by Borno farmers in the Lake Chad Basin and northern part of the state. While presenting the crops’ potentials at the weekend in Khartoum, Sudan to Bank’s Director General, Sidi Ould Tah, the Governor disclosed: “Borno is one of Nigeria’s leading producers of wheat and Gum Arabic.”
He said that the two cash crops are rated high in the international market to earn foreign exchange. Zulum along with Chairman of State’s Mega Farms Project, Musa Inuwa Kubo highlighted with video documentary in Arabic language on the challenges of terrorism on communities, as well as economic recovery efforts. “There are huge opportunities in our agricultural sector,” he said, stating that given the state’s vast and fertile land resources for irrigation and rain fed agriculture. The Governor’s team also highlighted Borno’s potential as the major producer of Gum Arabic and wheat among other food and cash crops for export. He said the partnership with the bank is to increase the value chain and export.
“Borno is to tap into the Arab Oraganisation for Agricultural Development in the bank’s operational structure,” he said. Tah therefore obliged Zulum’s request with discussions on how to identify specifics for both parties for implementation. The bank, which began operations in 1975; was to strengthen economic, financial and technical cooperation between Arab and African regions. According to him, the Arab/Africa Cooperation is through financing opportunities for economic development in African countries.
