The Federal Government is exploring the deployment of mobile Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations in rural communities to expand farmers’ access to alternative energy and reduce the cost of irrigation.

The proposed intervention is expected to benefit farmers who depend on petrol and diesel-powered irrigation pumps, particularly in areas where the absence of permanent gas refuelling facilities has limited the adoption of CNG.

Ismaeel Ahmed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential CNG Initiative and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), disclosed the plan at an Abuja roundtable organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Progressive Strategy Roundtable. 

He said consultations with state governments, particularly in Northern Nigeria, had revealed increasing interest in using CNG beyond the transportation sector.

Ahmed cited Jigawa as an example, noting that the state government had informed the initiative that more than two million farmers could benefit from access to cheaper energy for irrigation. 

He said gas-powered mechanical pumps could irrigate approximately three hectares of farmland, compared with about one hectare covered by typical solar-powered alternatives, making them attractive to farmers seeking wider coverage and greater operational capacity.

He added that President Bola Tinubu had authorised the initiative to intensify its activities, with the government seeking to accelerate gas infrastructure development nationwide. 

However, inadequate gas supply and delays in obtaining licences for CNG refuelling stations remain major constraints. Ahmed urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to expedite approvals for investors while maintaining the safety standards required for gas infrastructure.

He explained that mobile refuelling stations could bridge infrastructure gaps in remote farming communities where establishing permanent facilities may not be commercially viable for private investors. 

The initiative, he said, is intended to improve gas availability in underserved locations and support farmers seeking to lower energy expenses and improve agricultural productivity.

The post FG Considers Deployment of Mobile Compressed Natural Gas Stations in Rural Communities to Provide Alternative Energy for Irrigation first appeared on AgroNigeria.