The federal government, on Tuesday, distributed agricultural inputs and equipment to more than 500 smallholder farmers in Edo.

The minister of agriculture and food security, Abubakar Kyari, flagged off the distribution in Benin City.

Mr Kyari said the empowerment was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural reform agenda aimed at boosting food production and achieving national food security.

The minister was represented by Perpetual Iyere-Usiahon, assistant director in the ministry.

According to him, the exercise was part of the federal government’s strategy to encourage all-year-round farming and cushion the impact of rising input costs on smallholder farmers.

“The various inputs distributed to farmers today are part of our efforts to increase food production and mitigate the food crisis in the country,” the minister said.

He explained that the gesture was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, emphasising that agricultural revitalisation remained central to the government’s economic recovery plan.

“Since our assumption of office on August 21, 2023, we have examined what needs to change and how best to realign existing initiatives to meet the ministry’s core mandate.

“Going forward, we will ensure that all our programmes align with the president’s priority on food security,” Mr Kyari stated.

He noted that the federal government, in collaboration with states, non-governmental organisations and private sector partners, was committed to making farm inputs affordable and accessible to smallholder farmers through transparent and accountable processes.

“The government has demonstrated total political will to transform the agricultural sector.

“We are committed to working with all stakeholders to promote food security, economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction,” he added.

Mr Kyari said the inputs were shared through commodity associations, cooperative groups, farmers with special needs, and women’s groups to ensure inclusivity and fairness.

Earlier, the Edo coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Patricia Imade, said the initiative would empower farmers to increase productivity, improve livelihoods, and contribute to food sufficiency.

“These inputs are critical to enhancing yields and transforming rural livelihoods.

“Farmers must make optimal use of them and follow best agronomic practices,” Ms Imade advised.

She encouraged beneficiaries to leverage available support services such as extension services, training, and credit facilities while assuring them of continued partnership with the ministry.

In separate interviews, Omobude Agho, chairman of EDOCSO Investment Limited, and Leon Esebanmen, chairman of Owan Agrarian Cooperative Limited, lauded the initiative.

They commended the federal government and the Edo coordinator of the ministry for ensuring equitable distribution, describing the intervention as “timely and impactful” for local farmers struggling with high input costs.

Some of the distributed items include power tillers, knapsack sprayers, growth enhancers, rice destoners, cocopeat and buckets.

(NAN)