Governor Otti Flags Off Farmers’ Input Support Programme for 18,634 Farmers
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has launched the Farmers’ Input Support Programme, targeting 18,634 verified smallholder farmers with free improved seeds, organic fertilizer, and transport to their farms. The flag-off ceremony at the Umuahia Township Stadium marks a deliberate shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, aimed at transforming the sector into a wealth-creating enterprise.
Direct Empowerment of 18,634 Farmers
The programme, which expanded beyond initial projections, will provide beneficiaries with improved varieties of cassava, rice, maize, plantain, sweet potato, and organic fertilizer fortified with pest control materials. All inputs are 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.
The use of the Agricultural Dynamic Database System (ADDS) ensures transparency. Only verified farmers with evidence of farmland are captured, ending the era of diversion and political sharing of inputs. This data-driven approach guarantees that support reaches genuine farmers.
Shift to Commercial Agriculture for Food Security and Jobs
Governor Otti stated at the flag-off: “While we are not disinterested in subsistence farming, we are aggressively promoting commercial agriculture.” This shift is critical as commercial agriculture creates jobs across the value chain—from planting and harvesting to processing, packaging, and marketing. It guarantees food security not just for Abia, but contributes to national and regional food sufficiency.
The governor also announced a $200 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a multinational palm oil company, reinforcing the vision of attracting large-scale agribusiness investment. Such investment signals to other agribusinesses that Abia is open for business and that government policy supports large-scale production.
Building Partnerships for Research, Technology, and Innovation
The programme has attracted institutional support. Professor Chiedozie Egesi, Executive Director of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, described it as “a major milestone in Abia’s agricultural transformation.” He praised ADDS as a model for transparent planning and reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to partner with the state on research, improved planting materials, mechanisation, and capacity building.
Similarly, Professor Ursula Akanwa, Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, commended the administration’s investment in agriculture, innovation, and youth development. These partnerships mean Abia farmers will not just get inputs, but also access to modern technology and knowledge to compete globally.
Why It Matters to Farmers
For the average Abia farmer, the initiative translates to three immediate benefits: lower cost of production through free inputs and delivery; higher productivity from improved seed varieties and fertilizer; and market confidence as government and private investors enter the sector, enabling long-term planning.
In 2024, the Abia State Government fully sponsored 300 youths for a two-week intensive training at CSS Global Farms in Nasarawa State. Designed to boost food security and empower the agricultural sector, the programme taught participants modern farming practices and the entire agricultural value chain. Beneficiaries were selected through a rigorous screening process from ward to state level, with a capacity-building seminar preceding deployment.
Three Pillars of Agricultural Transformation
Governor Otti’s agricultural agenda is anchored on transparency, commercialisation, and partnership. By combining data-driven targeting with free inputs, logistics support, and private sector investment, the administration is laying the foundation for Abia to become the agricultural hub of the South-east. Beyond inputs, the message is clear: farming is now treated as a business in Abia. When farmers prosper, rural communities prosper, poverty reduces, and the entire state economy grows.
Ferdinand Ekeoma is a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Otti.
