Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, on Wednesday, toured 10 farmlands in the outskirts of four local government areas of the state to monitor farming activities.

The local governments visited by Governor Zulum were Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Mafa, and Dikwa.

During the separate unscheduled visits, the governor, who a Professor of Irrigation Farming, interacted with farmers, asking them of problems they face so he could address them.

With rainy season in place, majority of the farmers were seen weeding and planting across most farmlands when the governor visited them.

Speaking to the farmers, Zulum said unlike in other states, Borno State was not able to procure and allocate NPK fertiliser to farmers because there was an existing ban by the Federak Government through office of the National Security Adviser.

“We have long been in receipt of a security letter from the office of the National Security Adviser which placed ban on the usage of urea as well as NPK across Borno State because insurgents use these fertiliser components to produce improvised explosive devices (IEDs). It will therefore not augur well for the government of Borno State to distribute that fertilizer as the case in most states,” he said.

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Governor Zulum, however, said the only option was to distribute liquid fertiliser.

He added that he was excited with the turnout of farmers he met on ground during his visits and from reports he got on the farming activities in areas like southern Borno which has been more peaceful over the years.

He said it was for that reason that he directed the allocation of farm inputs and tractors to farmers in parts of Borno’s three senatorial zones, Central, South, and North.

Zulum further promised to enhance his focus on agriculture, especially continued strengthening of agro rangers and other security groups to sustain safe farming activities across Borno State.

The Star