Some farmers in Enugu State have expressed satisfaction and gratitude over the distribution of agro inputs and equipment to them by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The federal government, through the agriculture ministry, distributed the inputs to the small-scale farmers in Enugu on Thursday.

Some of the inputs and equipment distributed include herbicides, fertilizers, knapsack sprayers, solar water pumps, oil pail chisels, growth enhancers for rice, organic fertilisers for cassava, and water pumps, among others.

They were given to farmers captured under commodity associations, cooperative groups, farmers with special needs, and IDPs.

A beneficiary and chairman of the Graduate Farmers Association, Enugu, Patrick Mbah, while thanking the ministry for the gesture, urged the Federal Government to tackle issues of herders leaving their cattle to graze on people’s farms.

He disclosed that they lost 200 hectares of rice to herdsmen in 2024, adding that the inputs received would cushion the effect of their losses.

Mr Mbah assured the ministry that the association would put them to proper use.

Another beneficiary, Mr. Benedict Ekwochi, said he was overwhelmed by the inputs, describing them as “powerful empowerment”.

Mr Ekwochi, the vice-chairman of the People with Disabilities Farmers in Enugu, said the inputs were a welcome development, as they would help boost farming in the state.

“The inputs will boost our production next year,” he said.

Distributing the items, agriculture minister Abubakar Kyari said the exercise was part of their programme to increase agricultural production and ensure food security, as well as mitigate food crises in the country.

He stated that the present administration has resolved to develop the agricultural sector in order to improve agricultural and rural productivity, as well as achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly that of achieving zero hunger.

Mr Kyari added that the federal government was committed to creating synergies with non-governmental organisations and the private sector to enhance food security. This, he noted, would also boost economic growth and reduce poverty.

The minister stressed that, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the federal government had declared a national state of emergency on food security in July 2023.

(NAN)