Following the persistent fuel scarcity, the Adamawa chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has commenced sales of petrol on control price to its members engaged in dry season farming to power their water pumps.
Addressing beneficiaries in Buggare irrigation site in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa on Thursday, the state Acting Chairman of RIFAN, Mr Stephen Maduwa, said the measure was taken in collaboration with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).
Maduwa said that the current fuel scarcity which had seriously affected irrigation farmers in the rural areas, made the association to seek the help of DPR in securing 3,000 litres of fuel on weekly basis to be sold to members at government controlled price.
“What we did to further assist you is to bring it to cluster points like Buggare to ensure only genuine farmers benefited,” Muduwa said.
He urged government to look into the possibility of linking the irrigation sites with electricity to power the water pumps.
“With the current steady supply in electricity, if government will link up the sites with electricity, our farmers will just drill boreholes and connect to irrigate their farms at minimal cost.
“What you will spend on electricity in one month will be expended in less than one week on fuel,” Maduwa said.
Some of the irrigation farmers, who spoke at the occasion, said the measure was a welcome one and a big relief to farmers.
Abdullahi Ali, a farmer, said he used to spend N300 to buy a litre of fuel for his irrigation pump but the measure taken by RIFAN had helped him to obtain the commodity at the controlled prize.
“This is a big relief and the first of its kind by RIFAN to prove its commitment to facilitating government’s policy on rice production,” Ali said.
Another farmer, Andrew Jelani, lauded the measure and called for more allocation of the product.
“I am overwhelmed by this gesture by our union and hope DPR would see reason to increase allocation so that many more would benefit,” Jelani said. (NAN)
