Zulum commissioning NALDA houses for farmers in Jere LGA
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has urged the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) to support the state in clearing fertile land along the shores of Lake Chad for returnee communities to engage in agriculture.
Zulum made the call on Thursday in Dusuman, Jere LGA, where he inaugurated a rural housing scheme and empowerment center for farmers executed by NALDA.
Zulum said that there is about 100,000 hectares of fertile land that doesn’t need fertilizer in the northern part of the state, particularly along the shores of Lake Chad.
He explained that the land was not cultivated for the past 10 years due to insurgency, and now that peace had been restored, the state needed the support of NALDA in clearing the land.
“Now that security is restored, we have started clearing the land but we don’t have the needed capacity to fast track the process of clearing the entire land.
“We want you (NALDA) to visit to Baga, shores of Lake Chad to see how you can support Borno in clearing the vast land,” Zulum said.
He lauded NALDA for its support to Borno where it has 36 sites across the state, assuring that his administration would collaborate with the agency in addressing poverty through agriculture.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, commended the state government for its commitment in boosting agriculture which he said was inline with the vision and mindset of President Bola Tinubu.
Ikonne said that Tinubu has directed the agency to prepare land and inputs for farmers, adding that the programme is starting with Borno as catchment area because of the commitment of the governor.
“I want to call on all other stakeholders to quickly key into this agricultural revolution of Mr President by adopting the method of the Governor of Borno State, the method of unconditional land donation, and the method of total commitment.
“This is the mission and mindset of the President, and you are worthy of our commendation, Mr Governor,” Ikonne said.
Highlight of the occassion is the inauguration of the houses constructed for the rural farmers who are also presented with three goats comprising two she goat and a he goat.
