Insurgency: Borno farmers to buy petrol at N600 per litre

Farmers in Borno State affected by years of Boko Haram insurgency are set to purchase petrol at a subsidised rate of N600 per litre, significantly lower than the current market price of N1,200 in Maiduguri.

This initiative, announced by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in Bama town on Friday, aims to ease the financial burden on farmers relying on irrigation farming.

Speaking during the flag-off of farm input distribution to over 5,000 farmers displaced by insurgents, Zulum outlined the government’s plan to support irrigation farming by directly procuring petroleum products for farmers at the subsidised rate.

“One of the major challenges facing farming communities here is the increasing cost of fuel. Henceforth, for irrigation farmers this season, petrol will be sold at N600 per litre,” the governor said.

The initiative mirrors a similar program implemented last year in Damasak, Mobar Local Government Area, which significantly boosted food production and improved livelihoods.

In addition to the subsidy, Zulum distributed critical farm inputs, including 2,000 bags of blended NPK fertiliser, 1,000 water pumps, 620 gasoline pumps, and other items such as solar water pumps, sprayers, flexible hoses, pesticides, and seeds.

The government has also constructed over 100 tube wells for irrigation farmers and approved the construction of 250 more to enhance agricultural activities in the region.

Zulum, who also assessed ongoing reconstruction work in Darajama and Goniri villages, praised the quality of the projects but warned against sabotage of the resettlement drive.

He expressed gratitude to the federal government for supporting his administration’s efforts to rebuild communities devastated by insurgency.