From HASSAN JIRGI, Maiduguri
Borno State overnor, Babagana Zulum has announced that the state government would subsidise the cost of petrol for farmers in communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
Zulum made the announcement in Bama town when he flagged-off the distribution of farm inputs to over 5,000 farmers hitherto displaced by insurgents.
According to the governor, a litre of petrol sold between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri will be subsidised to the farmers for N600 to alleviate the financial burden faced by farmers in the affected communities.
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 facing 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 government will procure petroleum products and sell to farmers at a subsided rate. A litre of petrol is being sold in Maiduguri at the cost of about N1,200 but, henceforth, for irrigation farmers, this season, a litre of petrol will be sold at the rate of N600,” the governor said.
In addition to the petrol subsidy, Zulum distributed farm inputs, including 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1,000 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 two-inch flexible hose and 1000 litres of pesticides and seeds, among other items.
