Governor Peter Mbah recently flagged off the distribution of fertilizers, power tillers, and other agro inputs, as well as grants worth over N4.6bn to farmers, communities, and IT startups in the state. This initiative is part of his food security, agro-industrialization, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) development drive. The governor emphasized the importance of nurturing small-scale entrepreneurs for sustainable growth, as they are the lifeblood of economic development.
During the symbolic flag-off at Okpara Square, Enugu, Mbah revealed that 12,000 small-holder farmers would each receive one bag of fertilizer, which was graciously donated by the federal government to all states. Additionally, 51 power tillers worth N2m each would be given to farmers from across farming clusters in Enugu State. The administration is also distributing agricultural inputs to 1,251 beneficiaries across the 17 local government areas, including rice and bean seedlings, cassava stems, organic fertilizers, herbicides, among others.
In addition to supporting farmers, the administration is carrying out an extensive revamp of rural roads to facilitate a better road network and ensure that the farming clusters springing up across the rural belt of the state do not exist as isolated units. Mbah allocated N1bn for support to MSMEs, with 80% of the entire sum going to women-owned enterprises.
The governor also announced several other initiatives, including N60,000 to over 16,000 beneficiaries, mostly comprising owners of nano-enterprises on a ratio of 80:20 in favor of women. Additionally, N400,000 would be disbursed to 187 beneficiaries, and N7.5m each would be given to 10 tech startups, operational grants for solar equipment to 256 beneficiaries, and items, including laptop computers and POS terminals, to 269 beneficiaries.
Mbah stated that the state is also w against open defecation, with a view to ending the menace by the end of 2024. The state is launching a water provision and sanitation-enhancing initiative worth N15m across 135 communities, involving the construction of ultra-modern boreholes, toilet facilities, and provision of power generators.
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In his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Patrick Ubru, urged the farmers and other beneficiaries to reciprocate the government’s massive support through prudent application of the inputs and grants to create jobs, trigger a revolution in the agricultural industry, and boost the state’s economy.
The Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Enugu State Chapter, Romanus Eze, assured the governor that the farmers and other beneficiaries would not disappoint the government, promising concrete results, as to whom much is given, much is also expected.
