February 06, (THEWILL) – Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced plans to provide petrol for farmers in Mobbar Local Government Area at subsidised rates to enhance food security in the state.
The move allows Zulum to key into President Tinubu’s agricultural agenda of achieving food sufficiency through enhanced agricultural activities in places affected by the insurgency.
Zulum disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar LGA of the State, after supervising the distribution of palliative to vulnerable women and widows.
“I am here today to see the living conditions of our people, especially those who have recently returned from the Niger Republic due to the ongoing conflict. My administration will do everything possible to ensure that we provide for their necessities.
“To provide sustainable means of livelihood to our people, we are taking deliberate steps to enhance agricultural productivity and alleviate the economic burden on farmers in the Damasak region.
“For the farmers in this community, the primary source of energy has been generators powered by fossil fuels. To alleviate this challenge, I will be assisting momentarily.
“The government will identify two fueling stations and supply PMS and subsidies to reduce the cost of PMS for the farmers. This will enable them to purchase PMS at a lower price, making it more affordable for them to irrigate their farmlands,” he said.
In addition to providing subsidised petrol, Zulum also promised to distribute solar-powered water pumps, seedlings, fertilisers, and other agricultural inputs to the farmers.
“Borno State Government will also procure solar water pumps, and in addition to this, we will install drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation facilities in this town,” Zulum added.
Damasak, in northern Borno, is an agricultural hub and one of the pilot sites for Borno’s agricultural rejuvenation. It was once a stronghold of insurgents before it was liberated by Nigerian security forces, which enabled the Zulum-led administration to reconstruct and resettle residents and cultivate vast farmlands.
About the Author
I am Ladi Dapson, a general writer with thewill. I cover Borno and Yobe states respectively.
I based Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
I can be reached via [email protected].
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