The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has called for a regional push toward large-scale irrigated agriculture to address the escalating food security crisis in the Lake Chad Basin.
Speaking on the topic ‘Ensuring food security through building climate resilience of food systems in the Lake Chad Basin Region’ at the ongoing Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri on Thursday, Zulum emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to boost food production in a region grappling with a declining agricultural output despite a rapidly growing population.
“While approximately 70% of the land is arable, food production is declining despite a growing population,” the governor said. “To address this, irrigated agriculture presents a crucial solution. By integrating irrigation systems, we can improve pasturelands for livestock, benefiting a significant portion of the population.”
Zulum also stressed the importance of investing in research and modern agricultural techniques, saying implementing technologies like tubewells in areas with water scarcity, particularly around the shrinking Lake Chad will significantly enhance agricultural productivity.
The Lake Chad Basin, facing a confluence of challenges including climate change, insurgency, and displacement, has witnessed a decline in agricultural output, exacerbating food insecurity and poverty. This forum, hosted by Yobe State, aims to bring together regional leaders to address these challenges and explore sustainable solutions for the future of the region.
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, urged a regional initiative for large-scale irrigated agriculture to combat the worsening food security crisis in the Lake Chad Basin. At the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, he stressed the need for collaboration to enhance food production amidst a growing population and decreasing agricultural output.
Zulum highlighted the potential of irrigated agriculture in utilizing the region’s arable land and improving pasturelands, which would benefit a large portion of the population. He emphasized investing in research and modern agricultural technologies, such as tubewells, to address water scarcity and boost agricultural productivity, particularly around the shrinking Lake Chad.
The Lake Chad Basin faces several challenges, including climate change, insurgency, and displacement, leading to declining agricultural output and heightened food insecurity. The forum aims to unite regional leaders to address these issues and seek sustainable solutions for the region’s future.