Category: News Published on Sunday, 07 July 2013 05:00 Written by Hamza Idris, Maiduguri Hits: 59 SUNDAYTRUST
Borno State government has engaged a Chinese firm to supply and install irrigation equipment as well as supervise the cultivation of 1,700 hectares of farmland in different parts of the state with a view to increasing the number of irrigation projects and cropping periods in the state.
A statement emailed by Isa Umar Gusau, the governor’s special adviser on communications said the 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 held discussions with management of the Chinese firm in Dalian, Liaoning province of China.
He said the contract provided 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,” the statement said.
He said his administration is determined to harness the agricultural potentials of Borno which he said is the largest state in Nigeria with the most precious of natural resources which is fertile land for agriculture.
“Through our partnership with you as well as the irrigation projects we are already undertaking with Jain Irrigation Company of India and another American company, we will insha Allah turn Borno green like what I have seen here in all parts of China and by that, we will create jobs, spread wealth and enhance food security.
“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, I look forward to you fulfilling your own sides of the bargain” Governor Shettima said.
Shettima had requested a senior counsellor 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.