Food Security: Zulum unveils seven pilot irrigation schemes

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, on Wednesday, said that his administration has initiated seven pilot irrigation schemes to boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security.

Zulum stated this at the inauguration of the Mafa Irrigation Scheme in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.

He said the irrigation scheme would be established at Gajibo; Jafi, Baga, Logumani, Damasak and Dadin Kowa communities in Dikwa, Kwaya Kusar, Kukawa, Ngala, Mobbar, Bayo and Mafa LGAs.

The governor said the initiative would enable the state to key into the President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” to enhance food security in the county.

“The establishment of the Mafa irrigation scheme has started, we have so far identified a number of farmers and provided them with agricultural inputs.

“We intend to engage at least 10 percent of the communities, especially in the dry season farming.

“Our focus is to drive President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we will engage in wheat farming among other valuable crops.

“Most importantly, we want to see how we can improve the livelihoods of members of the communities.” he said.

The governor also inspected facilities including a fully solar-powered free-flow deep aquifer borehole with 30-litre per second discharge capacity and 2.4 million litres capacity earth dam.

According to him, the project is aimed at addressing the shortage of potable water in the town.