More than 60,000 farmers across Enugu State are set to benefit from a new round of free fertiliser and agro-input distribution, flagged off by Governor Dr. Peter Mbah.

The launch, held at Okpara Square with thousands of farmers and stakeholders in attendance, was described as a major step toward food security, poverty reduction, rural prosperity, and transforming farming into a profitable enterprise.

Governor Mbah recalled that in 2024, his administration provided 12,000 bags of fertilisers, power tillers, seedlings, cassava stems, and herbicides at no cost, leading to bumper harvests and lower food prices across the state.

“It gives me great joy to flag off over 40,000 bags of free fertilisers and other agro-inputs today. Our farmers are the backbone of our communities; without them, there is no sustenance, prosperity, or growth,” Mbah said.

He revealed plans to establish 200-hectare farm estates in each of the state’s 260 political wards, complete with irrigation systems, warehouses, tractor sheds, and power supply. So far, 102 tractors have been delivered, 98 more are on the way, and 800 additional units will soon be assembled at a new tractor plant in the state capital.

“Mbah added that farming is big business, which is why the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, is being upgraded into a University of Agriculture to train future agricultural scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators,” the statement said. He also confirmed ongoing efforts to set up Agro-Industrial Processing Zones and Agricultural Transformation Centers across the state.

The governor emphasized that the free inputs would go directly to registered farmers, eliminating middlemen. “There is no red tape; the only requirement is to be a registered farmer. Currently, we have over 60,000 farmers in our database,” he said.

Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Uburu praised the governor for inspiring what he called an agricultural revolution in Enugu. He highlighted revitalized assets under the administration, including Enugu United Palm Products, Adarice Irrigation Scheme, Ojor and Mgbagbu Owa irrigation projects, and Sunrise Flour Mill.

Uburu also noted new initiatives such as the Enugu State Livestock Productivity Centre, a Cocoa Development Initiative targeting 3,000 hectares by 2027, greenhouse farming with 2,000 greenhouses by 2026, and export warehouses for cashew processing. He commended the governor’s approval of crop insurance to protect farmers against climate shocks and pests.

The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, Mr. Romanus Eze, lauded the governor for fulfilling promises to farmers, highlighting the rise from fewer than five functional tractors to over 200, supported by the new tractor assembly plant.

“The governor has brought mechanisation to our doorsteps. The farm estates in every ward, the new seed laboratory, and support from traditional rulers for land access are transforming agriculture into a real business,” Eze said.

Dr. Ibenaku Onoh, Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, described Mbah as a governor attentive to both big and small initiatives, noting that distributing inputs across every ward reflects inclusive governance.

The ceremony concluded with the symbolic distribution of fertilisers to farmer cooperatives from the state’s 17 local government areas, described as “a giant leap toward food security and sustainable rural development.”