By Bisola Adeyemo
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum at the weekend launched the distribution of a variety of farm inputs to 1,200 irrigation farmers for food production this dry season.
The event took place at Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar local government area in northern Borno.
Zulum, who traveled to the area alongside the senator representing northern Borno, Abubakar Kyari, distributed water pumps as key components of irrigation, fertilizer, seeds, chemicals, and N5,000 cash to each of the 1,200 farmers, all of whom will be cultivating rice and onions with other food crops.
The event was facilitated by the ministry of agriculture, under its commissioner, Engr Bukar Talba who spoke at the launch.
The beneficiaries and the community-led by Senator Kyari, showed appreciation to the governor for the support as they expressed their determination to increase food production in line with the governor’s vision for agriculture.
Zulum has always held the view that unless resettled communities engage in agricultural activities, there could be problems resulting in unsustainable dependence on food aid from donors.
Information had it that each family received 25kg of rice, 25kg of beans, 25kg of maize, and 5 liters of cooking oil as part of interventions before they can generate livelihoods for themselves in the community.
Damasak was a former stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents before it was liberated with citizens now resettled.