The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Thursday commenced the distribution of agricultural inputs to small-holder farmers in Abia to support farming groups in the state.
The exercise took place at the National Soil Laboratory, Umudike, where farm inputs were rolled out to beneficiaries drawn from different categories. Items distributed included power tillers, herbicides, liquid fertilizers, knapsack sprayers, water pumps, and other tools required for small-scale farming.
Officials said the inputs were distributed through commodity associations, cooperative groups, farmers with special needs, and internally displaced persons, to ensure support reached those most in need.
In a message to the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said the initiative was aimed at delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. Kyari, represented by Mr Ikemefuna Ezeanya, Head, Department of Information in the ministry, urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs to increase food production nationwide.
He said the present administration was implementing economic reforms to stimulate productive capacity, create jobs, and reduce the cost of living. He added that emergency responses and targeted humanitarian actions had been introduced to address the food crisis.
The minister stated that the administration had shown political will to transform the agricultural sector by making food security a top priority. He said the ministry had rolled out programmes and projects to tackle challenges faced by farmers.
Kyari explained that the ministry had adopted short-term plans and support mechanisms to make farm inputs affordable and accessible through a transparent and accountable process.
“Our foremost concern is the facilitation of agro-inputs and basic farm machinery to small-scale farmers, who are constrained by the high market cost of these essential inputs, and thus need assistance,” he said.
In a remark, the State Coordinator, Mr Aloysius Mba, said the initiative was designed to boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security in Abia. He noted that the ministry had empowered smallholder farmers, including women in agriculture and farmers with special needs.
Mba urged beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by making use of the items distributed. “You must not go and sell the inputs. Please utilise them in your farms,” he said.
Reacting, a beneficiary and person with disability, Mrs Blessing Ononogbu, expressed appreciation to the government, saying, “With this, we will be able to provide food to eat and give to others.”
