Governor Peter Mbah has flagged off the 2026 distribution of fertilizers, improved seeds, and essential agrochemicals to 63,000 registered smallholder farmers across Enugu State, aiming to boost crop yields and drive export-led economic growth.
In an effort to eradicate poverty, ensure food security, and transition the state’s agrarian sector into a multi-billion-dollar commercial engine, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State officially flagged off the 2026 distribution of free fertilizers and critical farm inputs to 63,000 registered smallholder farmers.
Speaking at the symbolic flag-off ceremony held at Okpara Square in Enugu, Governor Mbah reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, emphasizing that over 40 percent of that projected economic expansion will be driven directly by agribusiness and agro-industrialization.
The governor highlighted that agriculture in Enugu State is being fundamentally re-engineered from mere subsistence farming into full value-chain commercial ventures capable of competing in international export markets.
Detailing the broader strategic scope of the intervention, Governor Mbah explained that providing over 63,000 bags of fertilizer, improved seeds, cassava stems, and crop-protection chemicals represents just one pillar of a holistic agricultural master plan.
He noted that the state is actively investing in agricultural machinery, farm access roads, and processing infrastructure to eliminate post-harvest losses and power the upcoming Special Agro-Processing Zones across the senatorial districts.
Furthermore, Mbah linked the agricultural drive to ongoing state infrastructure projects, including the concessioning and development of the international cargo terminal at the Enugu Airport to facilitate the seamless export of fresh produce, packaged foods, and processed cash crops directly to global destinations.
To ensure that the subsidized materials reach genuine farmers without political interference or diversion by predatory middlemen, Governor Mbah issued a strict warning against the illegal sale of the inputs, noting that all fertilizer bags are clearly branded with “Not for Sale” markers.
He instructed local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and community clergy to monitor distribution channels across all 260 political wards, relying strictly on the state’s digital farmer database.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Dr. Patrick Ubru, revealed that this year’s distribution represents a 58 percent increase over the previous year’s numbers, complementing broader milestones such as the profiling of 84,000 farmers, the establishment of a modern Seed Testing Laboratory, the rollout of ward-level Farm Estates, and a tractor assembly partnership with Nortra Tractors to accelerate mechanization.
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