Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced a significant move aimed at alleviating the economic hardship faced by farmers in communities ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.
During a flag-off event in Bama town on Friday evening, Zulum revealed that the state government would be subsidizing the cost of petrol for farmers at a reduced rate of N600 per litre, down from the current market price of between N1,000 and N1,200 per litre in Maiduguri.
The announcement was made public by Zulum’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Abdulrahman Bundi, who shared the details of the subsidy on Saturday. Zulum explained that the initiative was part of the state government’s effort to support farmers who have been struggling with the rising cost of fuel, particularly those engaged in irrigation farming. He noted that the high cost of fuel had become one of the major obstacles for these farmers, many of whom have already faced significant economic and infrastructural losses due to the ongoing conflict.
“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 said. “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 subsidised rate.”
The subsidy will apply to the irrigation farming season, where farmers will now be able to purchase a litre of petrol at the subsidized rate of N600, a reduction of about 50% from the prevailing price in the region. To ensure the efficient delivery of the subsidized fuel, Governor Zulum directed the Commissioner for Agriculture to collaborate with the Brigade Commander to oversee the distribution of the petroleum products to farmers in Bama town.
In addition to the fuel subsidy, Governor Zulum also distributed a range of essential farm inputs to support the displaced farmers. These included 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1,000 water pumps, 620 gasoline pumps, 380 solar water pumps, 1,000 sprayers, 800 rolls of 2-inch flexible hoses, and 1,000 litres of pesticides and seeds, among other items. These materials are expected to assist farmers in rebuilding their agricultural activities, which have been severely impacted by the insurgency.
Governor Zulum expressed his gratitude to the federal government for its continued support in the state’s efforts to reconstruct and resettle communities affected by the insurgency. He acknowledged the critical role this assistance has played in providing relief to the people of Borno and aiding the recovery of the agricultural sector.
With the subsidy in place and the distribution of farm inputs underway, Zulum reiterated his commitment to improving the livelihoods of farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Borno State, even in the face of ongoing security challenges.
