FG considers biofuel alternative for farmers due to high cost of diese

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe has said that due to the high cost of diesel, Federal Government is considering bio-diesel as an alternative source of fuel for farmers to enhance food production and supply, Vanguard reports.

Ogbe, who disclosed this in his office in Abuja, expressed concern over the persistent hardship farmers face in accessing diesel, which now sells for between N200 and N210 per litre.  “We will take a look at the production of Jathropha seeds and oil processing to give farmers self-sufficiency in diesel production as an organic fuel (bio-diesel). This is expected to promote renewable energy, improve our environment and reduce expenses on importation” he said.

Ogbe also assured mechanised farmers all over the country that the problem of diesel supply and pricing would be addressed to cushion the effects on their operations and avoid negative impact on food production in 2016, vowing to tackle the problem, both in the long and short terms.