By Sam Kayode
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has flagged off the distribution of critical agricultural inputs for the 2025/2026 dry season wheat farming in the state.
The distributed inputs include high-yielding wheat seeds, blended fertilisers, tractors, and pesticides.
The event, held on Saturday at the Jere Bowl in Dusuman, Jere council area also marked the flag off of the Federal Government’s intervention programme for wheat cultivation in Nigeria.
The initiative is being implemented under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), a flagship programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security designed to empower farmers and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.
Governor Zulum, while addressing beneficiaries and stakeholders, noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s commitment to revitalising the agricultural sector.
He said that wheat cultivation is not just a programme in Borno adding that it is a transformative initiative of the government.
“Through targeted investments in irrigation, mechanisation, quality inputs, and extension services, we are equipping farmers to achieve higher yields, enhance productivity, and contribute meaningfully to national output.
“Borno State has achieved remarkable milestones under our people-centred agricultural vision. Our input support programmes have reached tens of thousands of small holder farmers, resettled households, women, and youth, providing improved seeds, agrochemicals, and agronomic guidance.
“Let me begin by acknowledging the steadfast leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has continued to champion transformative investments in agriculture across Nigeria.
“Mr President’s commitment to food security and national productivity provides the foundation upon which programmes like these are built.
“I also express profound appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, His Excellency Senator Abubakar Kyari, for sustaining this national programme and for selecting Borno State as one of the priority locations for scaled wheat production.” he concluded.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, noted that 16 states will benefit from the NAGS-AP wheat component of the 2025/2026 season.
“Today, the wheat component of the NAG-AP programme covers 16 wheat-producing states of the federation. These are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
“For the current 2025/2026 season, the programme is targeting 80,000 registered farmers with an expected output value of approximately N160b.
“Out of the 40,000 hectares earmarked for wheat production, the 2025/2026 dry season, 3,000 hectares have been allocated to Borno State, representing 6,000 wheat farmers. This support will be followed by the second phase of the programme, which will promote the cultivation of other priority top value chains across the state.” Said Kyari.
Delivering his welcome address, Borno’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr Bawu Musami, enumerated the achievements of the Zulum administration in the agricultural sector aimed at food security.
The Commissioner hinted that an ambitious South Sudan irrigation scheme and Baga Folders projects have been activated, with thousands of farmers cultivating a variety of produce to contribute to food sufficiency.
The occasion was attended by the Senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Shehu; Member Representing Maiduguri at the House of Representatives, Abdulkadir Rahis; and those of Marte, Monguno and Nganzai.
Other dignitaries present include the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Elkanemi; the Deputy Speaker the State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Askira; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mallumbe; and other senior and top government officials.