Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, recently introduced a solar irrigation pump station in Damasak, located in the northern part of the state.
This pumping station has a 90-horsepower capacity and is powered by a 115-kilowatt solar farm. 
It operates three 30HP pumps, discharging 225 litres per second and covering 125 hectares of rice fields.
Governor Zulum emphasized a shift in focus from short-term food distribution to supporting farming activities in the state.
He expressed the need for sustainable solutions like agriculture rather than continuously providing food aid and housing internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Additionally, the governor launched the sale of subsidized petrol at N500 per litre to assist farmers during the dry season.
This initiative aims to provide 1 million litres of petrol across all local government areas in the state to support irrigation activities.
“I want to announce that for this year’s irrigation activities, the government of Borneo State is to procure 1 million litres of petrol and distribute it in the entire state at a subsidised rate to farmers,” Zulum said.
Furthermore, Governor Zulum distributed agricultural inputs to 4,500 farmers in Damasak and surrounding areas.
“This morning, we are flagging off the distribution of dry-season farm inputs to farmers in northern Borno. 4,500 farmers have benefited from fertilisers, agrochemicals and water-pumping machines,” Zulum said.
These inputs included fertilizers, water pumping machines (both solar-powered and petrol-powered), agrochemicals, and accessories.
The governor inspected various farms in Damasak and highlighted the expansion of the Nglayi scheme from 500 to over 1500 hectares.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Bawu Musami, praised Governor Zulum’s achievements in agriculture, citing the establishment of modern irrigation schemes across different local government areas.
Governor Zulum has directed the replication of these schemes across all three senatorial zones of Borno State.
