Farmers in Ebonyi State have called on the state government to ensure that agricultural inputs are distributed directly to genuine farmers to enhance food production and strengthen food security.
The farmers made the appeal in separate interviews in Abakaliki as preparations intensify for the 2026 farming season across the state.
A rice farmer from Ndiagu Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area, Johnson Nwafor, said many farmers have already established rice nurseries for transplanting, while others have commenced land clearing and direct broadcasting on swampy farmlands.
He, however, identified the rising cost of labour as a major challenge facing rice farmers this season.
Nwafor also alleged that government-provided agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, agrochemicals and improved seedlings, often fail to reach genuine farmers due to diversion by individuals he described as “political farmers.”
He urged the state government to establish community-based monitoring committees to oversee the distribution of farm inputs and ensure that rural farmers benefit from government intervention programmes.
According to him, providing direct support to genuine farmers would significantly boost agricultural productivity and improve food security.
Also speaking, a farmer from Agba in Ishielu Local Government Area, Chidiebere Nwali, described agriculture as a major driver of economic growth and employment, calling on the government to increase investment in the sector.
He appealed for the provision of modern farming equipment to improve productivity and reduce the cost of cultivation.
Another farmer from Echialike in Ikwo Local Government Area, Uche Nwoba, noted that Ikwo remains the largest rice-producing area in Ebonyi State and appealed for greater government support to enable farmers maximise production.
Meanwhile, traders in Abakaliki said a basin of rice currently sells for between ₦24,000 and ₦26,000 in the state.
