By Grace Samuel
The Victims Support Fund (VSF) has commenced distribution of dry season farming inputs to over 3 000 farmers who have returned to their communities in Borno State.
The Chairman VSF, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (rtd), said that the aims of the support the farmers who have ran away from their ancestral land in the wake of insurgency, is to empower returning farmers and aid in the reconstruction of their livelihoods.
Speaking through the Executive Director of the Fund, Prof. Nana Tanko, Gen. Danjuma emphasized the significance of this initiative, which has reached 3,000 farmers.
Specifically, 1,800 farmers in the Gamboru community of Gamboru-Ngala LGA and 1,200 in the Izge community, Gwoza LGA, have benefited from this support.
VSF’s engagement in the North East since 2014 has been marked by various interventions, including the relocation of internally displaced persons from four camps in Maiduguri to their original homes.
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The recent assistance provided to irrigation farmers in Borno aligns with the Borno State Agricultural Initiative and signifies a crucial milestone for VSF in the state.
Each farmer receiving support will obtain a comprehensive package comprising 25 kg of rice seed, 50 kg of fertilizer, two liters of insecticides, one liter of herbicide, and a Knapsack sprayer.
Additionally, agricultural extension workers trained by VSF will offer on-field guidance to ensure effective utilization of these resources.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State commended VSF for its remarkable contributions to the state’s reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement endeavors.
Speaking through Commissioner for Agriculture Alhaji Bawu Musami, Governor Zulum underscored the importance of this assistance, particularly amid prevailing food scarcity challenges.
Highlighting the adverse effects of climate change on rain-fed agriculture, Governor Zulum emphasized the pivotal role of dry season farming in enhancing food security within the state.
Notably, the VSF, established by the Federal Government in 2014, has been instrumental in providing support to those affected by insurgency in the North East, encompassing livelihood support, peace-building initiatives, education, recovery, and construction efforts.
