Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a major initiative to support farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency by introducing a petrol subsidy aimed at reducing their operational costs.
The announcement of the fuel subsidy was made during the flag-off of farm input distribution in Bama town on Friday evening.
Governor Zulum revealed that the state government will subsidise the cost of petrol for farmers in these conflict-impacted areas. While petrol in Maiduguri is currently priced between N1,000 and N1,200 per litre, farmers will be able to purchase it for just N600 per litre.
This move is aimed at alleviating the financial burdens of farmers, many of whom have faced significant challenges due to years of economic and infrastructural devastation caused by the ongoing insurgency.
The governor emphasized the importance of this subsidy, particularly for irrigation farmers, who rely heavily on fuel for water pumps and other agricultural activities. Reflecting on the success of a similar initiative in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, last year, Zulum noted that the subsidy had led to an increase in food production and an improvement in the livelihoods of the local farmers.
“One of the major challenges facing our farming communities, particularly in irrigation farming, is the rising cost of fuel,” Zulum said. “As a result, I am announcing that the government will procure petroleum products and sell them to farmers at a subsidised rate. A litre of petrol, which currently costs about N1,200 in Maiduguri, will now be available to irrigation farmers for N600.”
The governor also revealed that the Commissioner for Agriculture would collaborate with the Brigade Commander to ensure the swift delivery of the subsidised petrol to farmers in Bama town and other affected areas.
In addition to the petrol subsidy, Governor Zulum distributed a wide range of farm inputs to support over 5,000 farmers displaced by the insurgency. These included 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1,000 units of water pumps, 620 gasoline pumps, 380 solar water pumps, 1,000 sprayers, 800 rolls of flexible hose, and 1,000 litres of pesticides and seeds.
Zulum also highlighted his administration’s commitment to enhancing irrigation farming by revealing that over 100 tube wells had already been constructed to support farmers. He further announced the approval for the construction of an additional 250 tube wells to further boost agricultural productivity in the region.
