Gov. Zulum Releases 312 Tractors, 100 Trucks of Fertilizers to Farmers’ Cooperatives

...gesture is to improve food security and production in the State

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, approved the release of 312 tractors for allocation to farmers’ cooperatives in each of the 312 wards across Borno’s 27 local government areas including 600,000 bags of fertilizers conveyed in 100 Trucks to farmers in the state for the 2023 cropping season.

Governor Zulum ordered the releases during a ceremony at the state’s farm center located along the Maiduguri-Gamboru highway in Jere Local Government Area. The Governor however gave conditions.

To allocate the tractors, Zulum noted that each ward should form an agricultural cooperative society with a membership of not less than five and a maximum of ten persons. and to ensure that only the deserving farmers got it, we are going to give only five tractors per local government area for this season, pending the compiling of the benefiting cooperative groups”, Zulum added.
The governor added that all tractors allocated cannot be sold or used outside of Borno State.
Zulum noted that while his administration procured over 312 plowing and harrowing facilities, over 1000 tractors were procured during the administration of then-Governor Kashim Shettima, now the Vice President.
Also, during the Tuesday event, Governor Zulum flagged off the sale of fertilizer at a subsidized rate to farmers for use during the 2023 cropping season

“The bags of fertilizer shall be distributed to deserving farmers. I have also directed that the fertilizer should be discounted at a rate less than 25% of the actual market price to the farmers”, Zulum said.

He further warned that government will put in place stringent measures to ensure that the allocations are given to only deserving farmers who operate within the state, and anybody found wanting will be dealt with.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, the ALGON chairman, Hon. Ali Bolori thanked Borno State Government under the leadership of Governor Zulum for giving agriculture the desired attention and assured that the tractors will be closely monitored to ensure that only the deserving farmers benefits and operate within their respective council areas.