The Borno State Government is to partner Sudan in the production of wheat, gum Arabic and livestock for exports to earn foreign exchange. The crops and livestock are to be produced and raised in the Lake Chad Basin and central senatorial district of the state. While leading the Sudanese Experts in Agriculture and Livestock (SEAL)) at the weekend in Maiduguri, Dr. Osman Umar El-Fal disclosed that the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) has earmarked $500. 000 (N2.5 billion) for the execution of projects in the agricultural and livestock sectors of the economy. He added that Borno and Sudan share about the same ‘climatic and soil conditions’ for the production of wheat and Gum Arabic, as they have comparative advantages over other African countries.
“Our targets in the partnership are in the agricultural and livestock sectors,” he said, stating that the production of foreign exchange earning crops could be extended to rural areas to restore people’s livelihoods destroyed during the 12-year insurgency. Responding, the Chairman of the Borno State Partnership Committee and former Minister of State for Agriculture, Bukar Tijjani disclosed that the state was the epicenter of terrorism in the Northeast. He lamented that it was devastating with the loss of many lives and property since July, 2009. According to him, many farmers and herders lost their means of livelihood and took refuge in various internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the state.
“As peace gradually returns to the State; all hands must be on deck to the stabilization and recovery process to restore livelihoods for economic growth and development. He noted that as Sudan is one of the leading producers of Gum Arabic and wheat; the partnership will be adopted to implement the 25-year Development Plan and 10-year transformation strategy of Governor Babagana Zulum. “Our partnership with Sudan could drive the stabilization process to boost recovery efforts in the agricultural and livestock sectors,” he said, adding that the N2.5 billion bank grants are for the cross breeding of over a million cattle in the 27 Councils. He added that the state government is to explore more synergies on what to learn from each other and overcome the challenges in the agricultural sector for economic development and growth.
