The Federal Government has been urged to work with state and local governments to ensure agricultural support reaches real farmers at the grassroots rather than so-called “portfolio farmers” who hijack benefits meant for others.
The call was made on Saturday by the Ata Igboukwu Umuzomgbo Ihechiowa in Arochukwu Local Government Area, and Chairman of the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Sir Linus Nto Mba (Linto), during his 2025 New Yam Festival celebration.
“Government at all levels should be intentional about promoting agriculture, ensuring food security and fighting hunger and starvation.
“They should provide farm equipment, soft loans and grants to support food production in the country,” Eze Mba said.
While commending President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in agriculture, the monarch stressed the need for transparency in implementation.
“I urge him to liaise with state governors and local government chairmen to bring such assistances down to the real farmers who are at the grassroots,” he said.
He also hailed Abia State Governor Alex Otti’s agricultural programmes, including training and financial assistance, and appealed for more youth inclusion.
“Government should encourage the youth to go back to the farm and cultivate. If done, there will be no hunger in Nigeria.
“I am asking the state and federal government to support the youths who are willing to go to the farm and make abundant food. They (farmers) cannot do it alone.
“They need some finances and some other assistances. To the youths, after school, come back to your land, get the land, and then plant some crops so that you will make enough,” he said.
On the significance of the New Yam Festival, Linto dismissed claims of fetishism.
“It is a time to give thanks to Almighty God for life. He wants us to eat and live. So if everybody goes to the farm and plants crops, Nigeria will feed very well. I don’t think there’s anything fetish in it.
“Such insinuation is a miscalculation. So I urge the federal government to help and make sure that there is food for the country by providing the necessary amenities for the youths,” he added.
In his remarks, Governor Alex Otti praised Linto for preserving the culture of his people and pledged his administration’s commitment to rural road infrastructure to enable farmers transport produce from farms to urban centres.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and former Chairman of the Southeast Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Samuel Ikechukwu, described the festival as “a time for thanksgiving, a time for celebration and thanking God for a bountiful harvest.”
He urged the Federal Government to reform its agricultural support system under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Nigeria needs to embrace change. The President, from the Renewal Hope Initiative, and the Renewal Hope Agenda, addressed the issue of food insecurity.
“I want him to embrace the youths, encourage them to do more in farming and give them incentives, not just giving the money to people that are not responsible.
“Hand it over to institutions to manage as they are the people that know who are the ones that need the money, not just sharing the fertiliser to the state government.
“They have to find another system to get it down to the people so that people don’t hijack it. The President needs to embrace the youths, because the youths are growing in population.
“These are the changes that are constant. The nation needs to embrace the changes. And if the youths are restless, we can’t have a peaceful society. So, the food insecurity should be addressed through the Renewal Hope Agenda,” Eze Ikechukwu said.
