A Chinese Agricultural Company is to supply and install 50 units of centre pivot irrigation equipment to cover 1,700 hectares of farm in different parts of Borno state.
This is with a view to increasing the number of irrigation projects and the number of cropping periods in the state, according to a statement yesterday signed by Isa Umar Gusau
According to the statement, an agreement was reached between Borno state government and Rainfine Irrigation Solution, after Governor Kashim Shettima along with some members of the state’s agricultural transformation team, assessed equipment, made selections and held discussions with management of the Chinese firm in Dalian, Shandong province of China.
The contract provides two months within which the Chinese company is to customize, export and install the equipment in farms located in the three senatorial zones of the state, with particular focus on northern Borno which has the highest poverty and unemployment ranking in the state.
When installed, each of the 50 units of equipment will provide artificial rains for crops, covering 35 hectares of land in each functional rotation.
According to the statement, Governor Shettima said his administration was determined to harness the agricultural potentials of Borno which he said was the largest state in Nigeria with the most precious of natural resources and fertile land for agriculture.
The statement said, “our goal is to be the centre point of agriculture not only in Nigeria but in sub-Saharan Africa and we are working very hard to achieve this.
“Governor Shettima again requested a senior Counselor of the Nigerian Embassy in China, Mr Eche Abu-Obe who represented the Nigerian Ambassador to China, Amb. Aminu Bashir Wali at the meeting to assist Borno State by following up closely to ensure that irrigation equipment to be supplied to Borno meet laid specifications and in good time. The Governor also requested the embassy to monitor payments to be made in two weeks time to guarantee the integrity of the contract.
“Chief Executive of the company, Mr. Bai Yongsheng, promised that the conglomerate will abide by terms of the contract.
“He told the Governor and his delegation that the company supplies irrigation equipment to United States of America, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, and many parts of the world due to its insistence on high products’ standard.”