The Enugu State Government, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, officially flagged off the distribution of free agricultural inputs to over 63,000 registered smallholder farmers across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas as part of its efforts to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and support rural livelihoods.
The flag-off ceremony, held at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, brought together thousands of registered farmers from the state’s 260 political wards, who received various agricultural inputs for the 2026 farming season.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a major driver of economic growth.
Governor Mbah explained that the intervention aligns with the state’s broader vision of expanding Enugu’s economy through strategic investments in mechanized farming, modern agricultural infrastructure, improved seedlings, and farmer support programmes.
He stated that the initiative was designed to reduce the cost of production for farmers, improve crop yields, and increase food production across the state.
The Governor also warned against the diversion or sale of the distributed inputs, stressing that all farm materials were clearly marked “NOT FOR SALE” and were meant exclusively for verified beneficiaries captured in the state’s digital farmers’ database.
Agricultural Inputs Distributed
The intervention package included:
- Over 63,000 bags of fertilizer
- Improved rice, maize, pepper, and tomato seeds
- Disease-resistant cassava stems
- Crop protection chemicals
- Mechanization support for farming operations
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, disclosed that more than 84,000 farmers had been digitally profiled by the state government, while over 25,000 farmers had received training in climate-smart agricultural practices aimed at improving productivity and sustainable farming.
Beneficiaries Commend the Initiative
Several beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Enugu State Government, describing the intervention as timely given the rising cost of agricultural inputs.
According to some of the farmers, the distribution of fertilizers, improved seeds, cassava stems, and other farm materials would significantly reduce production costs and improve harvests during the current farming season.
They also commended the government’s digital registration process, noting that it enhanced transparency by ensuring that genuine farmers directly benefited from the programme.
Advancing Food Security and Economic Growth
The agricultural intervention forms part of the Enugu State Government’s broader strategy to strengthen food security, encourage commercial agriculture, create employment, and position Enugu State as a major agricultural hub.
The administration has continued to invest in agricultural mechanization, improved seedlings, agro-processing, and other initiatives aimed at increasing productivity and expanding the state’s agricultural value chain.
Enugu Media Village Commends the Initiative
The Director General of Enugu Media Village, Hon. Engr. Uche Kelvin Edeh (UKE), commended the Enugu State Government for the intervention, describing it as a strategic investment in agriculture and rural development.
He noted that empowering smallholder farmers with essential agricultural inputs would not only improve food production but also enhance livelihoods, strengthen food security, and contribute significantly to the state’s economic growth.
He reaffirmed Enugu Media Village’s commitment to monitoring and reporting government programmes and projects that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusive development across Enugu State, while continuing to spotlight initiatives that positively impact the lives of citizens.
Published by:
Ifunanya A.
Principal Secretary to the Director General
Enugu Media Village
For: Enugu Media Village