Some agriculture experts in Ebonyi have decried the impact of delay in supply of agricultural inputs in the state, saying it affecting food productions.
The stakeholders made the ascertion in an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki on readiness of state government and farmers towards planting season.
They called on the Ministry of Agriculture in the state to support farmers with timely distribution of matured seedlings, saying it was key to attaining zero hunger not only in Ebonyi but Nigeria at large.
The Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Ebonyi chapter, Dr Ignatius Unah urged the Federal and state Government to step up plans to provide farm inputs for farmers in the state.
Unah noted that provision of agro inputs for farmers would go a long way to avert impending food crisis.
“Well, the government of Ebonyi have good plans for farmers in the state. Though, we are yet to have the farm inputs from the federal and state government.
“The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku has x-rayed the good plans to assist us, farmers with fertilizer and other inputs.
“We believe, the government of Ebonyi have the plans to boost agriculture in the state,” the Chairman added.
On how accessable is the farm inputs and fertilizers in the state, Unah noted that the cost of the commodities in the market had made it difficult for them.
“You know price of Commodities have skyrocketed and agro commodity is not left out. Every products are moving upwards and not many farmers can afford such.
“We believe, the government have plans to subsidised these inputs in order to overcome food security and poorest of the farmers will have the opportunity to put crops in the farm as well as access to agro chemical inputs like fertilizer among others,” he noted.
Mrs Ginikachi Nwiliboji, Treasurer, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA) in the state said its member are readily prepared for the year farming season.
On access to inputs, Nwiliboji said they enjoyed a lot of grants and inputs from the previous government in the state and expressed hope that the present government would do same.
“Not only inputs, we also needs the availability of land for us to cultivate in a commercial quantity in order to attain zero hunger.
“Though, we have met with the commissioner for Agriculture, Iyioku and she promised that the present administration has plenty of programmes and plans for the farmers,” she said.