The Borno State Government on Wednesday said it spent over N40 billion on agriculture in the last two years.
Alhaji Muhammad Dilli, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, disclosed this at a press conference in Maiduguri.
Dilli said the state government had adopted proactive measures to re-engineer and transform agriculture from the debilitating negative effects of the Boko Haram insurgency in the sector.
He said the state government had purchased 15,000 tonnes of assorted fertiliser, 1,000 tractors and 25 combined harvesters.
He said: “The state government has procured 15,000 metric tonnes of improved seedlings such as: maize, rice, cowpea. The seedlings were produced by the Lake Chad Research Institute.
“We also procured 84 units of sprinkler rice engagement plant and one million cashew seeds to encourage cash crops production.
“The state government has so far distributed 95 large tractors to farmers at subsidised rate. This is in addition to the construction of 17 earth dams in the liberated communities.
“The ministry also purchased some modern farm implements, which include plough, marrow, cultivators and other inputs.”
Dilli added that over N700 million was spent on procurement and distribution of seedlings to displaced farmers.
He said that the gesture was to assist displaced farmers and encouraged them to return to the farms.
The commissioner said that the ministry had encouraged the cultivation of ginger in Biu, Chibok, and Damboa, adding that about six trucks of the produce were produced in Hawul Local Government Aarea.
He said: “We also constructed three artificial lakes, green houses and seeds multiplication centres. The essence is to create micro plant food chains to raise varieties of farm produce.
“The state government also constructed 18 boreholes; each of the boreholes has one million litre of water capacity to enhance access to safe drinking water to farmers and animal consumption.”
The commissioner said that over 7, 000 goats were distributed to women to encourage livestock production.
Dilli said the government was committed to reinvigorate agriculture, enhance farmer support services, promote their enterprising skills and add value to the produce.
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