The Enugu state government, on Thursday, distributed agro inputs and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), grants worth N4.6 billion to registered farmers and traders in the state.

In a speech at the launch of the programme in Enugu, Gov. Peter Mbah said the gesture was intended to enhance food security, agro-industrialisation and MSMEs development in Enugu.

Mr Mbah said that it was imperative to nurture small scale entrepreneurs for sustainable growth through the provision of the key enablers since they remain the lifeblood of economic development.

According to him, 12,000 small-holder farmers will each receive one bag of fertiliser, which the Federal Government graciously donated to all states.

“In addition, we will be giving out 51 power tillers worth N2m each to farmers from across farming clusters in the state.

“We are also launching today the distribution of agricultural inputs to 1,251 beneficiaries across the 17 Local Government Areas,” he said.

The governor further said that his administration would be carrying out an extensive rehabilitation of some rural roads to facilitate better road networks and ensure that the farming clusters springing up across the rural belt of the state did not exist as isolated units.

“The support to MSMEs is at N1 billion with women-owned enterprises getting 80 per cent of the sum.

“The value of our entrepreneurship intervention programme being launched today is N1 billion.

“This includes the disbursement of N60,000 to over 16,000 beneficiaries.

“This comprises mostly owners of nano-enterprises on a ratio of 80:20 in favour of women.

“We recognise that much of the brunt of poverty is borne by women.

“That explains the extra efforts we put into expanding opportunities for the girl child and women, especially in our rural communities,” Mr Mbah said.

He said that under the MSMEs intervention, the government would be disbursing N400,000 to 187 beneficiaries.

“Other initiatives in this regard for launch include N7.5 million each to 10 tech startups, operational grant for solar equipment to 256 beneficiaries, while items, including laptop computers and POS terminals, will be given out to 269 beneficiaries,” he said.

The governor also said that the inputs and support given to beneficiaries would sufficiently boost economic activities in their various localities and create positive ripple effects on the state’s economy.

Earlier in an address, the commissioner for agriculture and agro-industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, urged the farmers and other beneficiaries to reciprocate government’s massive support through prudent application of the inputs and grants to create jobs.

The acting project coordinator, FADAMA, Geofrey Eze, said that cassava stems being distributed were improved stems that would withstand harsh weather, diseases and high yielding variety that would lead to bumper harvest.

“In today’s distribution, we are giving out power tillers and cassava stems to benefit farmers,” he said.

The chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Enugu state chapter, Romanus Eze, assured the governor that the farmers and other beneficiaries would not disappoint the government.

“We have never had it so good. Therefore, we will not disappoint you.

“We promise you concrete results, for ‘to whom much is given, much is also expected’,” Mr Eze said.

(NAN)