FG Begins Distribution of Agricultural Inputs to Smallholder Farmers in Abia

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Thursday commenced the distribution of agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers in Abia State.

The items, which include power tillers, herbicides, liquid fertilisers, knapsack sprayers and water pumps, among others were distributed during a rollout exercise held at the National Soil Laboratory, Umudike.
The inputs were distributed through commodity associations, cooperative societies, farmers with special needs, and internally displaced persons.
In a message to the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the initiative was aimed at delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Kyari, who was represented by the Head of the Department of Information in the ministry, Mr Ikemefuna Ezeaja, urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs to boost food production in the country.
He said the present administration was implementing several economic reforms targeted at stimulating productive capacity, creating jobs and reducing the cost of living.
According to him, emergency responses and targeted humanitarian interventions had also been deployed to mitigate the food crisis in the country.
The minister added that the administration had demonstrated strong political will to transform the agricultural sector by making food security a top priority.
Kyari further stated that the ministry had rolled out several programmes and projects to address challenges facing farmers nationwide.
He said short-term plans and support mechanisms had been put in place to make essential farm inputs affordable and accessible to farmers through a transparent and accountable process.
“Our foremost concern is the facilitation of agro-inputs and basic farm machinery for small-scale farmers who are constrained by the high market cost of these essential inputs and therefore require assistance,” he said.
In his remarks, the State Coordinator, Mr Aloysius Mba, said the initiative was designed to boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security in Abia State.
Mba noted that the ministry had consistently empowered and encouraged smallholder farmers, including women in agriculture and farmers with special needs, to improve productivity.
He urged beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by making effective use of the inputs to sustain the objectives of the programme.
“You must not sell the inputs,” “Please utilise them on your farms.” he stated.
Reacting, a beneficiary and person living with disability, Mrs Blessing Ononogbu, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the intervention.
“With this support, we will be able to produce food for ourselves and also share with others,” she said.