Sokoto's Resettled Farmers Receive N108m Agricultural Aid from BUA

BUA Cement Plc has provided agricultural provisions valued at N108 million to 211 farmers who were relocated within its host communities in Sokoto State. This gesture, made on Saturday, aims to bolster food production ahead of the 2026 wet farming season. These recipients are individuals whose residences and agricultural lands were impacted by the company's expansion initiatives, leading to their subsequent relocation.

The formal handover ceremony took place at BUA's facilities in Sokoto, with attendance from key government representatives, traditional leaders, local community figures, and the beneficiary farmers themselves. During his address at the occasion, Ali Gumel, Director for Health, Community Safety, and Environment at BUA Group, highlighted that this intervention demonstrates the firm's dedication to assisting susceptible communities via enduring corporate social responsibility programs.

Gumel emphasized the pivotal role agriculture plays in Sokoto State's economic landscape, noting that helping displaced farmers resume their farming activities would significantly enhance food security and boost household earnings. He stated, “We understand the pain of losing a farm and having to start over. These inputs are not charity; they are an investment in the resilience and future of our people.”

The support package, as detailed by Gumel, includes enhanced seed types, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and compact farming implements, all carefully chosen to align with the state's specific soil and climatic attributes. Abubakar Dan Maliki, the Programme Manager for the Sokoto Agricultural Development Project, accepted the provisions on behalf of both the Sokoto State Government and the recipients. He lauded the initiative as highly opportune, arriving precisely when farmers desperately needed resources for the impending rainy season.

Dan Maliki remarked, “The donation will significantly reduce production costs for the affected farmers and enable them to resume farming activities.” He further added, “This support will ease the financial burden on resettled farmers and help them regain productivity. The state government will ensure transparent distribution through our agricultural extension agents.”

Local community leaders expressed appreciation for BUA's intervention, highlighting that numerous resettled households had faced challenges in obtaining quality farming materials since their relocation. Agricultural extension professionals present at the gathering also underscored the importance of re-establishing the farming capabilities of displaced families, deeming it crucial for boosting food output and mitigating the threat of food insecurity.