Borno to Partner Niji Group to Promote Food Security, Commercial Agriculture

Borno to partner Niji group to promote food security, commercial agriculture

By Madu Mohammed

The Borno State Government is to partner with Niji group, Ibadan to promote food sufficiency and commercial farming in Borno state, especially the victims of Boko Haram insurgency..

Governor Babagana Zulum who disclosed this yesterday when he paid an operational visit to the headquarters of Niji Group of Companies, Ibadan,the Oyo State capital, said ” over the years, we have been distributing palliatives to support vulnerable persons affected by the over one decade of Boko Haram insurgency. Continuous distribution of palliatives is not sustainable, therefore, we intend, through agriculture, to provide sources of livelihood to the people”.. 

Niji Group (trade name of Niji Agro Services) “is a value-driven conglomerate with about three decades of successes in providing critical end-to-end solutions to Africa’s agriculture sector.”

Governor Zulum was received and taken round by the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Niji Group of Companies, Farmer Kolawole Adeniji.

Zulum’s visit was aimed at harnessing avenues to promote sustainable agricultural practices that empower local farmers in Borno, most of whom were displaced by Boko Haram insurgency. 

During the visit, Zulum had the opportunity to witness, firsthand, the diverse agricultural operations undertaken by Niji Group, which spans Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing, Farming, Food Processing, Agribusiness Education, Farm Mechanization and Hospitality. 

Zulum who expressed his admiration for the group’s efforts in advancing commercial agriculture and enhancing food security assured to partner with company to ensure sustainable agriculture in Borno State

Governor Zulum who highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to enhance productivity and efficiency in agriculture, emphasized the need for more public-private partnerships to drive agricultural innovation and create an enabling environment for farmers across Nigeria. 

Zulum pointed out the need for increased investment in agricultural research and development, stressing that innovation and knowledge-sharing were crucial to addressing the challenges faced by farmers, such as pests and diseases, climate change, and market access. 

The governor pledged to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the agricultural research ecosystem in Borno state. 

Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Adeleke Lawal, Borno State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr. Bawu Musami, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Barrister Mustapha Ali Busuguma, SSA on Publicity, Lanre Obadiah, and some technical staff of Borno’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Also on Zulum’s entourage were officials of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers which includes it’s National Chairman, Engr Professor Folarin Alonge, Prof Babagana Muhammed of the Agricultural Engineering Department of the University of Maiduguri and Prof Faborode, President of the Pan African Association of Agricultural Engineers among others.