Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Saturday, flagged off the distribution of over 40,000 bags of fertilisers among other farming inputs to farmers in the state.
Speaking at the event which took place at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, Mbah commended farmers in the state for contributing to the development of the state through provision of food and other agro-products.
According to him, “About one year ago, in this same venue, we flagged off the distribution of 12,000 bags of fertilizers and other inputs to farmers free of charge. We also gave out power tillers, rice and bean seedlings, cassava stems, herbicides, and several other inputs.
“The outcome is the bumper harvest experienced this year, and the fall in prices of various staple crops. That is the proof that deliberate investments in agriculture yield real impact. Our farmers are the backbone of our communities – the hands that till the soil and bring food to our tables. Without you, there is no sustenance, no prosperity, and no growth.”
He said his administration’s commitments to the agro-sector prompted its establishment of 200 hectare-farm estates in all the 260 wards in the state.
According to him, “That is why we are establishing 200-hectare Farm Estates in each of the 260 wards of Enugu State. These will come with warehouses, irrigation, tractor sheds, electricity, water, and mechanization services. Already, 102 tractors have been delivered, another 98 are on the way, while 800 more will be assembled locally at our Assembly Plant in Enugu, now 95% complete.”
He also announced that his administration was upgrading Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, into a University of Agriculture, and setting up Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones and Agro Hubs to scale up food security, agro-processing, and job creation.
In his words, “These fertilizers are being given out free of charge, directly to the farmers in our database. There is no red tape, no middlemen, no need to know anyone in government. Today, over 60,000 registered farmers are beneficiaries.
“Together, we are taking a giant leap towards food security, dignified livelihoods for our farmers, and the vision of growing our economy to $30bn while reducing poverty to zero.”
