More than 60,000 farmers across Enugu State are set to benefit from a new round of free fertiliser and agro-inputs distribution as Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah flagged off the exercise at Okpara Square, Enugu. The event, which attracted thousands of farmers and stakeholders, was described by the state government as another bold step in the journey towards food security, poverty reduction, and turning farming into a profitable venture for rural communities.
Governor Mbah reminded the gathering that in 2024, his administration distributed 12,000 bags of fertilisers, alongside power tillers, cassava stems, herbicides, and seedlings at no cost to farmers. He noted that the intervention boosted harvests and helped to reduce food prices across the state. He announced that this new distribution involves more than 40,000 bags of fertilisers and other agro-inputs, which would be delivered directly to farmers registered in the state’s agricultural database.
“It gives me great joy to flag off this exercise. Our farmers are the backbone of our communities. They are the hands that till the soil and bring food to our tables. Without them, there is no sustenance, prosperity, or growth,” Mbah said. He assured that no middlemen would be involved in the process. “The only requirement is to be a registered farmer. As of now, we have more than 60,000 farmers captured in our database,” the governor added.
The governor further disclosed that the state government is building 200-hectare farm estates across each of the 260 political wards in Enugu. These estates will have irrigation systems, warehouses, tractor sheds, and power supply. According to him, 102 tractors have already been delivered, another 98 are on the way, and an additional 800 will soon be assembled at the tractor plant currently nearing completion in Enugu. He said this plan was part of efforts to modernise agriculture in the state.
Mbah also revealed that the Enugu State Polytechnic in Iwollo is being upgraded into a University of Agriculture to train a new generation of agricultural scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators. He added that his administration is working on Agro-Industrial Processing Zones and Agricultural Transformation Centers across the three senatorial districts. “Farming is big business, and Enugu must take its rightful place in agricultural productivity and food exports,” he declared.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Uburu, commended the governor, describing the project as an agricultural revolution in Enugu. He said abandoned agricultural assets such as Enugu United Palm Products, Adarice Irrigation Scheme, Ojor and Mgbagbu Owa irrigation projects, and Sunrise Flour Mill have been revived under the current administration. Uburu added that new projects like the Enugu State Livestock Productivity Centre, a Cocoa Development Initiative targeting 3,000 hectares by 2027, greenhouse farming with 2,000 greenhouses by 2026, and export warehouses for cashew processing were now ongoing.
He also highlighted the governor’s approval of crop insurance premiums to protect farmers from climate change and pest challenges. “Today’s event marks a new chapter. It is proof that the governor is determined to transform rural communities into vibrant centres of growth and prosperity. I feel a deep sense of pride as Commissioner because of His Excellency’s vision,” Uburu said.
The Enugu State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Romanus Eze, praised the governor for delivering on promises. He recalled that the state once had fewer than five functional tractors, but today there are over 200, with more to come. He said, “The governor has not only given us inputs but also brought mechanisation to our doorsteps. He promised 1,000 tractors, and we can see them coming. The farm estates, seed laboratories, and land support from traditional rulers are turning agriculture into a real business.”
Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Dr Ibenaku Onoh, also commended Mbah for what he called inclusive governance. He said the governor’s initiatives were moving Enugu from a state of consumption to a state of production. “In agriculture, transport, water, and other areas, you are doing wonders. The people are happy and promise to continue supporting you,” he added.
The event ended with symbolic distribution of fertilisers to farmer cooperatives from the 17 local government areas. Stakeholders described the initiative as a significant milestone towards achieving food security and sustainable rural development in Enugu State.
