The Federal Government, through the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (FISP), has flagged off the distribution of fertiliser to farmers across the South East Zone.
Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, represented by the deputy governor, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, described the flag-off held at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Owerri, as “a day of hope for our farmers in the South East states.”
She said the distribution aligns with the governor’s 3R mantra of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Recovery, noting that it is aimed at recovering farms, rebuilding food security, and restoring prosperity to every local government in the zone.
“Agriculture is the bedrock of our economy. When there is food on our tables, there is peace in our communities,” the deputy governor stated.
She commended President Bola Tinubu and the APC-led Federal Government for the intervention, and thanked Governor Uzodimma for hosting the South East flag-off.
Addressing beneficiaries, Lady Ekomaru urged farmers not to sell the fertiliser but to use it to boost crop yield and ensure a better harvest this season. She also charged partners and the distribution committee to ensure the inputs get to the real farmers at the grassroots in a transparent manner.
The deputy governor, on behalf of Governor Uzodimma, officially flagged off the distribution of fertilisers across four South East states of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi, and prayed for God’s blessings upon farmers of these states.
The executive secretary and chief executive officer of the National Agricultural Development Fund, Mohammed Ibrahim, who was represented by the Fund’s General Manager, Technical Services, Mr Earnest Ihedigbo, said the programme was designed to bridge critical farm input gaps, boost agricultural productivity, and strengthen farmers’ resilience.
He noted that 20,160 beneficiaries across the four South East states will receive fertiliser grants under the scheme, adding that the programme is a homegrown intervention aimed at supporting smallholder farmers, promoting local fertiliser production, creating jobs, and improving food security.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Senior Special Adviser to the Minister, Ibrahim Tanimu, described the programme as a strategic investment towards achieving food sufficiency.
He assured that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Imo State Government, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and NADF will ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution process.
