Zulum distributes irrigation inputs, fuel to 5,000 farmers at subsidized rates
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has distributed irrigation farming inputs to 5,000 Internally Displaced Person (IDP) returnees in Bama.
Governor Zullum stated this while flagging off the distribution of irrigation farm inputs over the weekend in Bama, said fuel for the distributed water pumps is also subsidized by 50 percent.
“A litre of petrol sells at between N1,000 and N1,200 in Maiduguri, but will be subsidized to the IDP farmers at N600 or 50 percent.”
He stated that the subsidization of fuel, was to reduce the financial burdens of famers in the communities affected by the 15-year Boko Haram insurgency, and the economic hardships.
He, therefore, directed the Commissioner Agriculture to liase with the Brigade Commander in ensuring the immediate delivery of fuel to farmers in Bama.
Other distributed farm inputs included 200 bags of fertilizer, 1,000 knapsack sprayers, 800 rolls of water hoses, 1,000 litres of pesticides and improved seeds.
In sustaining irrigation water, Zulum said: “The state government has constructed over 100 tube wells, while the approval of an additional 250 tube wells was made. The governor also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the tremendous support to the state’s Reconstructions, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR) of communities affected by insurgency.