The chairman, Edda local government area of Ebonyi State, Hon. Chima Ekumankama, has warned that the council would not hesitate to prosecute anyone caught diverting fertilisers and other farm inputs distributed free by the council to the rural farmers.
Prince Ekumankama gave the warning during the flag-off of the distribution of fertilisers, rice seedlings, pesticides and other essential farm inputs by the Ebonyi State government.
The distribution, Hon. Ekumankama said, was part of the state government’s initiative to enhance agricultural productivity in the state.
The chairman, who stressed that the inputs are meant for verified farmers, said they include community stakeholders and traditional leaders directly involved in farming activities.
He expressed his administration’s renewed push to boost food security and agricultural productivity in line with Governor Francis Nwifuru’s revolutionary agricultural policy in the state.
Chima applauded the governor for prioritising agriculture and his commitments to strict monitoring and ensuring that farm inputs are effectively used by the appropriate beneficiaries.
He equally pointed to the fact that Edda LGA is one of the leading agricultural hubs in Ebonyi State, and announced the formation of a local task force to monitor the distribution and prevent the misuse or resale of the inputs.
“Let me commend our Governor Chief Nwifuru, a farmer-friendly governor, for empowering local farmers with fertilisers, rice and agrochemicals. I assure our people that these items will not be diverted. We’re putting measures in place to ensure proper use and to ensure that the agricultural inputs boost farmers’ morale and lead to a bumper harvest,” he said.
Flagging off the distribution, state commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku emphasised the importance of using the inputs effectively to maximise yields.
She called for the establishment of local government areas and development centre farms, stressing that government would unveil a reward scheme to honour high-performing councils and development centres during the state agricultural show during the harvest season.
