Agriculture remains the backbone of any growing economy, and in Abia State, Governor Alex Otti is making deliberate moves to reposition the sector from subsistence farming to a commercial, wealth-creating enterprise.
The recent flag-off of the Farmers’ Input Support Programme at the Umuahia Township Stadium is more than a distribution exercise. It is a clear statement of intent: that Abia’s future will be built not just in cities and industries, but also on fertile farmlands.
Direct empowerment of 18,634 farmers
With 18,634 genuine farmers targeted under the programme, the Otti administration has expanded access to government support beyond initial projections. The beneficiaries will receive improved varieties of cassava, rice, maize, plantain, sweet potato, and organic fertilizer fortified with pest control materials — all distributed free, with transportation to farms provided at no extra cost.
For smallholder farmers, this removes one of the biggest barriers to productivity: cost. By taking away the burden of buying inputs and moving them to the farm, the government is directly improving yields, reducing waste, and increasing household income.
