How Borno plans to revive agriculture

The agricultural sector has perhaps suffered the biggest casualty in Borno State as a result of the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency. First, because it was the employer of over 80 percent of the people of the state but now can no longer provide a platform for farming to even 15 percent of the population, following […]

The agricultural sector has perhaps suffered the biggest casualty in Borno State as a result of the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency. First, because it was the employer of over 80 percent of the people of the state but now can no longer provide a platform for farming to even 15 percent of the population, following the crisis.
Baga which used to be the hub of fishing activity for Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroun has not been able to produce even a basket of fish for almost a year now due to the activities of insurgents who have taken over control of the water side.
 Over 80 percent of the cows and other livestock being consumed in Nigeria are imported through Maiduguri and later distributed to other parts of the country in addition to the ones that are locally produced by farmers in the state, all that no longer exist as all exit routes to the neighbouring countries have been taken over by the insurgents while local farmers have been dispossessed of their livestock through cattle rustling.
 Most farmers in the state have been attacked and killed and their farmlands either taken over by Boko Haram or have become battle grounds and can no longer be accessed by them. The few farmers that can still cultivate their farmlands; have difficulty applying fertilizer as security operatives always confiscate the commodity on the excuse that fertilizer is used in making bombs.
Speaking on the plight of farmers in the state, a farmer, Alhaji Modu Tungushe, told this reporter in Guza Malam market that farming has suffered major setback that “only God knows if we can ever go back to our farms in our life time. I used to cultivate a minimum of 80 bags of assorted grains every season in Baga. Overnight the insurgents raided my house and carted away everything I had. They also killed my elder son and two of my workers.
“I am now staying in an IDP camp with my family coming to such village markets to serve as agents to people buying grains and livestock to make a living. My fear is, even if the insurgency ends today, from where are we going to start? I do not have money to even buy seed,” he said.
 Alhaji Aji Yakarimi is a wheat and sorghum farmer. He said he obtained a loan of N750, 000 from a bank and invested in his wheat farm when suddenly Boko Haram attacked and took over his farmland along with others, saying, “A major farmer who supplies flour mills with wheat gave me high variety seeds on the arrangement that after harvest, I will sell to him and he will add to his own and supply the mill.
“That was in the early days of insurgency in the state. I supplied him twice then went for the loan before the attack. I am not sure there is a single farm that can produce one ton of grains that is still functional in the state except around Biu. I do not see agriculture being revived in the next 20 years even if insurgency ends today,” he said.
 But Governor Kashim Shettima said farmers in the state do not have any reason to entertain fear over the revival of agricultural activities in the state, saying, “People should just pray to God to restore peace in the state. Knowing the value of agriculture to my people and taking into consideration the extent of damage done to the sector, I decided to be very proactive.   
“The state government has taken to the completion of an ultra-modern farm centre for the production of improved seedlings that is aimed at providing multiple yields to farmers. The state has also taken delivery of 845 additional tractors, bringing to a total of 2,000 brand new tractors now in stock. We also took delivery of 1,416 planters to add to the ones we have in stock.
“All the farming equipment were imported as part of the government’s post insurgency plan for commercial agriculture in rural areas as soon as Boko Haram insurgents are defeated. We have just recently bought 25 combined harvesters that have since been delivered. In the whole of Nigeria, there are only a total of 56 combined harvesters out of which Borno State alone has 25.
“We have bought and installed dozens of green houses and machines at the seedlings production centre which is expected to be the supplier of improved seedlings required by farmers to have high yields such as what obtains in developed countries. We have also bought equipment for drip irrigation as well as large cooling systems needed in nursing seedlings, both of which have been installed at the seedlings production centre,” he said.
The governor, who was speaking while inspecting the equipment in Maiduguri, said the government has acquired so much agricultural equipment and has sponsored youth from the state to India and other countries for training on usage, maintenance and re-installation of the equipment.He said the state plans to establish agro processing factories to take advantage of high production of tomatoes, pepper and other crops in different parts of the state, saying the state has taken delivery of large, medium and small scale rice mills.
Governor Shettima said the equipment will be allocated to farmers in the state through cooperatives and community settlements associated with various agricultural activities and government will ensure that the equipment are used to enhance agricultural activities in the state.
“From what you all have seen here, Borno is set, we have so much equipment to take the drudgery out of agriculture. All we need is a window of peace in our rural communities so that we can unveil our massive plans. Our programmes will be community driven and we will have so much bias for women because they bear the brunt of the insurgency. They are the people taking care of orphans and their homes; we will train them to be self-sufficient.
“Capacity development leads to efficient utilization of equipment as well as maintenance. We have invested so much in capacity development and it will be a continuous process. I have just directed that 200 additional youth should be engaged by the seedlings production centre for comprehensive training. We are set and peace will soon return Insha Allah for us to achieve our good objectives,” he said.
The agricultural equipments were mostly imported from the United States, India, Thailand and Egypt even as some of them were specifically manufactured to suit the state.
One of the female farmers in the state, Hajiya Talatu Isge said Boko Haram activities in Askira Uba area has affected farming activities thereby threatening the production of food and cash crops in the area, adding, “The steps taken by the state governor is enough not only to revive agriculture after insurgency but also to enhance production as we never did before.
“The major problem of agriculture in Nigeria is lack of modern farming inputs, lack of government support and lack of access to modern techniques. All these have now been provided. I could remember some years ago in this same state, we had less than ten functional tractors, no single combined harvester. Then, I do not even know planters. Thank God we have them now. Whoever wants to be a farmer can become one with ease.
“We have very few women farmer groups and most of them are not active. Now that priority is accorded to female farmer groups, we shall form such associations and make them active. God willing; the marginalization of female farmers is over. When the Boko Haram insurgents are finally sent packing, we shall start a new life in the farms,” she said.
 Bana Zaifada is a vegetables farmer who said he has been idle since the insurgents overran his village along Bama road and destroyed his farm, saying, “As a full time farmer, there is nothing any government can do to me better than helping me to enhance my farming production. With what I heard over the radio on the things this governor has bought for farmers in the state, I think the good time has come.
“I am 63 years old. I have never felt as cared for as a farmer like now. I am now a beggar because I have nothing doing. But I am confident the good time for farmers is just by the corner. Let this crisis end, we shall be there. For over 20 years now I have not been able to use a tractor in my farm because I do not have the money to pay. With 2,000 new tractors in the state, I am sure they will be everywhere,” he said.
 Momodu Ali Tungushe is a transporter in the state. He said as soon as the equipment start functioning, he will go back to farming, saying, “What will I be doing at the back of truck struggling with cows when I can easily be a farmer? I was in Bakalori in Zamfara State for three years. I have seen the advantage of using a tractor in a farm there. With these tractors, Borno may likely be the best in agricultural production in this country very soon.
“We have vast agricultural land in the state that we can use to cultivate assorted crops and vegetables. The hindrance now is this insurgency. Before the insurgency, previous administrations in the state were not paying as much attention to agriculture as the present administration is doing. Idleness among youth in the state will soon be a thing of the past,” he said.
 A consultant in agriculture, Dr Sani Musa Kwaso said the steps adopted by the state government is capable of enhancing agricultural production, saying, “If all the states can do the same, surely the sector will improve and our food security will have a boost. This step will not only improve farming activities in the state, but it will also reduce dependency on government.
“I am pained whenever I notice that state governments that ought to encourage mechanized farming are still buying cows and prowls for farmers in their states. In this era, we should go for tractors and other modern farming equipment. Let the insurgency end today, give them three years with these equipment at their disposal and see how they will enhance production,” he said.