Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has called for the establishment of large-scale irrigation farming as a key solution to the growing food insecurity crisis in the Lake Chad Basin.
Speaking at the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Gov. Zulum emphasized the need for urgent investment in irrigation agriculture to address declining food production caused by reliance on rain-fed farming.
The governor was spoke on the topic: “Ensuring food security through building resilience of food systems in the Lake Chad Basin region,” which featured other panelists, including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and the Country Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Nigeria, Koffy Kouacou.
The session was moderated by David Stevenson.
Gov. Zulum pointed out that the Lake Chad Basin is endowed with vast fertile land, which if properly harnessed, can significantly boost food production in the region.
“We need to invest in irrigation. Irrigated agriculture is the only solution. Unfortunately, our investment in this sector is very low,” the governor stated.
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He noted that Borno State alone has a total land mass of 72, 000 square kilometers, with over 70 percent classified as arable land.
With the region’s rapidly growing population, the governor stressed that traditional farming methods are no longer sustainable.
He called for research into climate-resilient crops and modern irrigation techniques to enhance food production.
“Our food production is declining due to over-dependence on rainfall. Through this forum, we must explore ways to establish large-scale irrigation farms using surface or drip irrigation systems to maximize our limited water resources,” he added.
Gov. Zulum also highlighted the potential for livestock development in the Lake Chad Basin, which is a major producer of cattle in the West Africa sub-region.
He suggested that irrigation schemes can support the cultivation of pastures, boosting beef and milk production.
“We have a low-hanging fruit in irrigation. The shores of the Lake Chad provide ample water resources, and where surface water is scarce, tube wells can be drilled. What we need now is the political will from regional governors, federal and national governments, and international partners to drive this process,” he concluded.
The call for large-scale irrigation farming comes as the Lake Chad Basin faces mounting challenges of food insecurity, exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and conflict.
