Jalingo: Amid growing concerns over food security, the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has sounded the alarm on the escalating cost of agricultural inputs, warning that the trend could severely impact farm yields by 2026.
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 12th meeting of the forum, signed by its Chairman, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, on Saturday in Jalingo.
It stated that the impending food crisis could be averted by providing more subsidies to farmers and ensuring adequate preparation for dry-season farming.
“The forum acknowledges the appreciable success recorded in the onslaught against the insurgency in the region, but regrets that the subregion is still confronted with daunting humanitarian and infrastructural challenges.
“The forum took into cognisance the forecast of the credible agencies on climate risk and the impending flood disaster in the subregion.
“It therefore calls for proactive measures in confronting the flood and massive sensitisation of settlers along the flood plains.
“It also called for support from both the Federal Government and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to reconstruct the broken infrastructure, especially bridges.
“The forum agrees to hold the North East Trade fair in partnership with other organisations in Maiduguri, Borno, in December 2025,” it stated.
The communiqué also stated that the forum tasked its committee on Power and Energy to develop a power and energy integrated subregional master plan.
“While building on the early commitment of exploring solar options as a low-hanging fruit, the forum recommends coming up with an integrated subregional power Masterplan.
The NEGF comprises the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States.