Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has flagged off the 2026 wet farming season in Kwaya Kusar, unveiling a comprehensive agricultural support programme aimed at boosting food production, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and strengthening food security across the state.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Zulum said his administration remains committed to making agriculture the backbone of Borno’s economic recovery, job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.
He thanked Almighty Allah for the opportunity to witness another farming season and urged farmers to make the best use of the government’s intervention.
As part of the initiative, the governor announced the procurement of 200 truckloads of high-quality NPK fertilizer, which will be sold to farmers at 50 percent of the prevailing market price.
He explained that the government had initially planned to purchase 100 truckloads but doubled the quantity in response to growing demand from farmers, traditional rulers, and local government councils.
Governor Zulum also disclosed that the state government will distribute 40,000 litres of agrochemicals, 10,000 knapsack sprayers, 10,000 bicycles, water pumps, certified seeds, and post-harvest storage facilities free of charge to more than 100,000 registered farmers across the state.
The governor noted that improved security has significantly expanded access to farmlands, stating that farmland accessibility has increased by more than 1,000 per cent compared to previous years. He attributed the achievement to the support of the Federal Government, security agencies, the Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters, vigilantes, and the resilience of Borno farmers.
Governor Zulum also appreciated the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, for their contributions to agricultural development in the state.
He further directed local government councils, traditional rulers, and the Ministry of Agriculture to complete the transfer of tractors earlier allocated to every ward into community ownership to improve access to mechanised farming.
Describing the choice of Kwaya Kusar as strategic, Governor Zulum said the area plays a key role in agricultural production in Borno South and the wider North-East.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in irrigation, mechanisation, agro-processing, livestock, fisheries, and key crop value chains, including wheat, rice, maize, and cassava.
The governor concluded by urging beneficiaries to use the distributed farming inputs solely for agricultural production, stressing that the intervention is designed to increase productivity, reduce production costs, improve farmers’ incomes, and ensure lasting food security across Borno State.
