Zulum distributes farm inputs to 5,000 farmers, plans to subsidise fuel

The governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, has distributed farm inputs including  2000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps to 5,000 farmers displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.

Other materials 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 other items.

Zulum also announced that he will subsidise the cost of petrol to farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

He announced the petrol subsidy on Friday evening in Bama town while flagging off the distribution of farm inputs to the 5,000 farmers. 

According to him, a litre of petrol sold between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri will be subsidised to the farmers for N600.

He said “This is aimed at alleviating the financial burdens faced by farmers in communities that have suffered economic and infrastructural destruction due to years of conflict”.

Zulum emphasised that a similar initiative implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, last year has significantly increased food production and improved livelihoods.

“One of the major challenges that are facing the farming communities here as regards irrigation farming is the increasing cost of fuel, as a result, I want to announce to the general public that the government will procure petroleum products and sell them to the farmers at a subsided rate, a litre of petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at the cost of about N1,200 but in sha Allah, henceforth for irrigation farmers this season a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600,” Zulum said.

The governor said, “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.”

According to him, his administration has constructed over 100 tube wells for use by irrigation farmers while also announcing the approval for the construction of an additional 250.