Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA) to make significant investments in groundwater irrigated farming around the Lake Chad area, in order to enhance food sufficiency and stimulate economic revitalisation across the State and the North East region.
Governor Zulum made the call when the newly constituted Board of the Chad Basin Development Authority, led by its Chairman, Professor Abdu Dauda Biu, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Maiduguri.
Highlighting the agricultural potential of the region, the Governor explained that the shores of Lake Chad, particularly areas such as Kirenowa, Marte, Gamborun Ngala, and Baga, are endowed with abundant groundwater resources and arable land suitable for irrigation.
“I wish to draw your kind attention to the presence of considerable groundwater along the shores of Lake Chad. We must not rely solely on surface water,” Zulum stated.
“Recently, I dispatched a fact-finding mission to Gamborun Ngala, and the team confirmed the availability of substantial groundwater resources, which we can harness for irrigation farming.”
Governor Zulum also announced that the State Government has committed about ₦2 billion to cultivate 1,000 hectares of farmland using a solar-powered irrigation system in Baga, and additional ₦1.5 billion has been earmarked for similar projects in Gamborun Ngala and Marte, both of which are nearing completion.
“In our efforts to revitalise the South Chad Irrigation Scheme, we are currently cultivating 1,000 hectares of land under the Baga Polder Irrigation Project at a cost of approximately ₦2 billion. Additionally, we are developing 200,000 hectares at the Gamboru Pump House and another 200,000 hectares at the Gamboru Ladari solar-powered irrigation system, to revive farming activities across the region,” the Governor added.
