As a way of boosting food production, and ameliorating the toll that insurgency has taken on agriculture in the state, the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Friday, announced that the state government will subsidise the cost of petrol to farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
The governor delivered the good news in Bama town while flagging off the distribution of farm inputs to over 5,000 farmers who, hitherto, were displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.
By the subsidy arrangement, Prof. Zulum said a litre of petrol, which is normally sold between N1,000 and N1,200 per litre in Maiduguri, the capital, will now be sold to the farmers for N600 per litre.
This, according to the governor, is aimed at alleviating the financial burdens faced by farmers in communities that have suffered economic and infrastructural destruction due to years of conflict.
Justifying the subsidy, Zulum recounted that a similar initiative implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, last year, had significantly increased food production and improved the livelihood of farmers and citizens as well.
“One of the major challenges that are facing the farming communities here as regards irrigation farming is the increasing cost of fuel,” Zulum said. “As a result, I want to announce to the general public that government will procure petroleum products and sell to the farmers at a subsidised rate. A litre of petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at the cost of about N1,200 but in’shAllah, henceforth for irrigation farmers, this season, a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600.
“The Commissioner for Agriculture will work with the Brigade Commander to ensure the delivery of the petroleum products to farmers in Bama town as soon as possible.”
Apart from the promised petrol subsidy, Zulum also distributed farm inputs, including 2000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps.
Other materials distributed include: 380 units of solar water pumps, 1000 units of sprayers, 800 rolls of 2-inch flexible hose, and 1000 litres of pesticides and seeds, among others.
The Governor drew thunderous applause when he announced that his administration has constructed over 100 tube wells to be used for irrigation by farmers while approval had been given for the construction of additional 250.
Zulum also visited Darajama and Goniri villages under Bama Local Government to assess ongoing reconstruction work. He expressed satisfaction with the quality of the project but reiterated that his administration would not allow anyone to sabotage its resettlement drive.
The governor expressed gratitude to the federal government for the tremendous support for his administration’s reconstruction and resettlement efforts for communities ravaged by insurgency.
