By Our Correspondent, Abia
There was widespread jubilation among farming communities in Abia State as the Abia Grassroots Movement flagged off its 10th annual subsidised fertiliser distribution at its zonal office in Nkwokpu, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
The initiative, aimed at boosting food production, reducing the rising cost of farming, and improving livelihoods ahead of the 2026 cropping season, has become a staple support mechanism for rural agriculturists.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at Izybest Plaza, Nkwokpu, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the movement and Chairman of IZYBEST Group, Hon. Chief Israel Amanze (Oke Orji Abia), assured beneficiaries that the programme was designed to support genuine farmers. He stressed that agriculture remained a key pillar of economic growth and food security, urging recipients to make proper use of the fertilisers to increase crop yields.
“This is an annual event we have sustained for the past ten years, in addition to helping our members benefit from other government-promoted agricultural programmes that will improve their lives,” he said. “Abia Grassroots is not a political organisation but a farmers’ organisation. The purpose of this fertiliser subsidy distribution is to support our members in their farming businesses. I enjoin you all to make judicious use of these products.”
Flagging off the ceremony, a former Commissioner at the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) and President of the Ngwa Patriot Forum, Chief Uzo Ihuka, commended Chief Amanze for the gesture, describing it as timely and capable of easing the financial burden on local farmers. He further supported the subsidy project and urged well-to-do individuals in the state to emulate what he called a philanthropic effort that would improve agricultural productivity and alleviate poverty.
Other speakers included the founder of Think Global and Chibuzor Esihe Foundation, Engr. Chibuzor Patrick Esihe; High Chief Ebere Fike Enyi; and the Abia State Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association, who is also South-East leader of Moringa farmers, Mrs Charity Ochiulo. They applauded Chief Amanze for his commitment to revitalising the agricultural sector and empowering rural communities.
The state Secretary of the Abia Grassroots Movement, Engr. Christopher C. Chigbu, explained that the distribution exercise would be closely monitored to ensure transparency and equitable access. He listed a range of agricultural projects sponsored or attracted by Chief Amanze from various government institutions and international organisations. He also noted that the movement was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a farmers’ organisation, enabling members to access federal agricultural programmes through the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).
Several beneficiaries, including Mr Christian Amamba (a BOT member), Ugochukwu Ihediiwa, and the state women leader and coordinator of the women’s fertiliser project, Mrs Ngozi Ocho, expressed gratitude to the board chairman. They noted that the high cost of agricultural inputs had previously discouraged many small-scale farmers from cultivating larger portions of land, but the subsidy would now help improve their holdings. They appealed for the programme to be sustained and expanded.
Subsidised fertilisers distributed included NPK 25:10:05, NPK 20:10:10, NPK 15:15:15, NPK 20:10:10 (Special), and ammonium bicarbonate.
In addition, 52 grassroots women agribusiness entrepreneurs selected from several local government areas of Abia State were trained in fertiliser use and sales. They received various bags of high-quality fertilisers on credit to retail across all wards in the shortlisted LGAs.
The event was witnessed by the fertiliser distribution committee from various wards, selected women entrepreneurs, farmers’ associations, traditional rulers, stakeholders, and partners.
