Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has flagged off the Federal Government’s distribution of agricultural inputs for the 2025/2026 dry season wheat production.
The event took place on Saturday at the Jere Bowl in Dusuman, marking the beginning of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket programme.
The programme provides high-yield wheat seeds, blended fertilizers, pesticides, tractors, and other tools to farmers.
The initiative is part of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s effort to boost local production and reduce food imports.
Governor Zulum said the intervention aligns with his administration’s plan to strengthen agriculture through irrigation, mechanization, and quality inputs.
“Here in Borno State, wheat cultivation is not just a programme; it is a transformative initiative. Through targeted investments in irrigation, mechanisation, quality inputs, and extension services, we are equipping farmers to achieve higher yields and enhance productivity,” he said.
“Borno State has achieved remarkable milestones under our people-centered agricultural vision. Our input support programmes have reached tens of thousands of smallholder farmers, resettled households, women, and youth,” he added.
Governor Zulum commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing food security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Mr President’s commitment to food security and national productivity provides the foundation upon which programmes like this are built,” he said.
Zulum thanked the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for selecting Borno as a priority wheat-producing state.
“Today, the wheat component of the NAG-AP programme covers 16 wheat-producing states of the federation,” the minister said.
“For the 2025/2026 season, the programme is targeting 80,000 registered farmers with an expected output value of approximately N160 billion,” he added.
“Out of the 40,000 hectares earmarked for wheat production in the dry season, 3,000 hectares have been allocated to Borno State, representing 6,000 farmers,” he said.
Borno Commissioner for Agriculture Bawu Musami highlighted irrigation schemes and projects activated under the Zulum administration.
He said thousands of farmers are cultivating multiple crops under the schemes.
