Borno state Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Alhaji Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai has revealed government’s plans to attract 300,000 youth from the 27 local government areas of the state into farming in order to create wealth through agriculture.
Garbai made this disclosure during the signing of a contract worth N457 million for the development of irrigation facilities in six locations within the three senatorial zones of the state.
He also said that the project would provide direct and indirect employment to 300,000 youth in Borno state.
According to the Commissioner, the idea behind the project is to create jobs for youth and as well provide quality food for the people of the state.
The contract that was signed between Borno state government and WM Agro International limited, would be monitored by a team constituted by the Ministry for local government to ensure that apart from completing the project according to specifications, sustainability is maintained.
Garbai went ahead to request for both the cooperation of the ministry of Agriculture and Natural resources as well state Agricultural transformation team to work together towards achieving the goal of government by engaging the youth in meaningful ventures.
Also speaking, Chairman of Agricultural Transformation Team, Engr. Ibrahim Ali said that the irrigation project would replace old methods of farming with modern ones.
According to him, 80 percent of the people of Borno are farmers who need to be encouraged, adding that modern agriculture should be practised through irrigation scheme. This, he said would make youth unemployment a thing of the past.
He said that government has already secured 260 hectares for the irrigation projects in six centres across the state, which could employ 300,000 youth.
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