More than 12,000 farmers across Edo State’s three senatorial districts are expected to benefit from the Federal Government’s free fertiliser distribution programme under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Jerry Uwangue, disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin during the inauguration of the programme.
Uwangue explained that the fertilisers would be distributed exclusively to genuine farmers who have been properly profiled by the state government. He noted that a comprehensive profiling exercise covering all 18 local government areas has already been conducted on the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo to prevent diversion and ensure transparency.
“More than 12,000 farmers have already been profiled, and the exercise is still ongoing to capture more eligible beneficiaries,” the commissioner stated.
He assured stakeholders that the distribution process would be conducted with utmost transparency, with the exercise openly carried out and televised for public scrutiny. Farmers have been advised to remain in their respective local government areas, where agricultural desk officers will coordinate the distribution, which is scheduled to commence next week.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim (represented by Assistant General Manager, Mr. Lecky Dauda), described the programme as a clear demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to enhancing food security, improving rural livelihoods, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices nationwide.
The State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Patricia Imade, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the initiative, noting that it would significantly boost farmers’ productivity and increase agricultural yields across Edo State.
The distribution exercise is expected to provide much-needed support to farmers and contribute to the state’s broader goals of achieving food self-sufficiency and agricultural transformation.