Edo Govt Takes Fertilizer Direct to Farmers, Targets Over 14,000 Beneficiaries

De-Patriot News Desk

The Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has commenced the first phase of direct fertilizer distribution to registered smallholder farmers across the state, fulfilling a commitment made during its statewide engagement with farmers earlier this year.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Dr. Jerry Uwangue, said the initiative followed consultations with farmers across the 18 local government areas, where many complained that previous input support schemes had failed to reach genuine farmers.

He disclosed that between 14,000 and 15,000 farmers were registered during the exercise, with 8,000 bags of fertilizer received for the first phase. He added that 30,000 cocoa seedlings had also been received for direct distribution.
“These are the first batch, and we will continue this way. We will no longer give it to local governments to distribute, it will be given directly to farmers,” Uwangue said.

He urged beneficiaries not to resell the inputs but use them to increase production, assuring them that the ministry would also help connect farmers with buyers for their produce.

Uwangue encouraged farmers to complete the required registration and verification procedures to access the inputs free of charge.

Beneficiaries welcomed the initiative, describing the direct distribution as a departure from past experiences. Prof. Osifo Aikpehiomwan of Ambrose Alli University, a smallholder farmer, said the support would boost food production and help reduce food prices, while another beneficiary, Mr. Efosa, who farms cassava, maize and palm kernel, said the fertilizer would increase his output.

The ministry said the exercise is the first of several planned phases and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring agricultural inputs reach genuine smallholder farmers across Edo State.