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Zulum calls for large-scale irrigation to address food insecurity in Lake Chad basin

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for the establishment of large-scale irrigation farms as a key solution to the growing food insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin region.

Speaking during a panel discussion titled “Ensuring Food Security through Building Resilience of Food Systems in the Lake Chad Basin Region” at the ongoing 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Zulum emphasized the need for irrigated agriculture over reliance on rain-fed farming.

Other panelists included Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and FAO Nigeria Country Director, Koffy Dominique Kouacou, with David Stevenson moderating the session.

Zulum noted that the Lake Chad Basin is endowed with vast arable land, which, if properly utilized, could significantly enhance food security. He urged regional governors, development partners, and the United Nations to collaborate on establishing and managing large-scale irrigation farms under expert supervision.

“We need to invest in irrigation. Irrigated agriculture is the only solution. Unfortunately, our investment in this area is very low. Borno State alone has a land mass of 72,000 sq km, with over 70% arable land,” Zulum stated.

With the region’s rising population, the governor warned that traditional rain-fed and subsistence farming practices are unsustainable. He stressed the urgency of researching climate-resilient crops and adopting modern farming techniques to ensure food availability and affordability.

“There is increasing population growth while our food production is going down due to overdependence on rainfall. What we need to achieve through this forum is the establishment of large irrigation farms using surface or drip irrigation systems to maximize our limited water resources,” he added.

Beyond crop farming, Zulum highlighted the importance of livestock development, noting that the Lake Chad Basin is a leading producer of livestock in the sub-region. He suggested that irrigation schemes could also support animal pastures, boosting beef and milk production to strengthen food security and economic stability in the region.

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