Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno says the state government will subsidise the cost of petrol to farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
Speaking in Bama town when he flagged off the distribution of farm inputs to over 5,000 farmers displaced by Boko Haram insurgents, Zulum said a litre of petrol sold between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri will be subsidised to the farmers for N600.
Zulum pointed out that a similar initiative implemented in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, last year has significantly increased food production and improved livelihoods.
The governor also 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.”
In addition to the petrol subsidy, Zulum distributed farm inputs, including 2000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1000 units of water pumps, and 620 units of gasoline pumps.
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.
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.
