…move to expand farmers’ access to financial support, boost food security
Akwa Ibom State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government through the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), has commenced the enumeration of FarmerMoni beneficiaries and training of Local Government Area (LGA) Desk Officers to strengthen the implementation of the Federal Government’s Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) in the state.
The exercise, organised through the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, is designed to identify and document eligible small holder farmers for the Farmer-Moni intervention, which seeks to expand access to financial support and improve agricultural productivity at the grassroots.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo, the Commissioner in the Ministry, Princess Emem Ibanga, said the initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s administration aligns with the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno, particularly its agricultural revolution component.
Princess Ibanga noted that the programme offers an important opportunity to extend economic support to farmers in remote communities, including persons with disabilities, who are often underserved by conventional financial interventions.
She stressed that supporting farmers was essential to safeguarding livelihoods and strengthening food security, noting that the consequences of overlooking farmers extend beyond agricultural production to affect household welfare and the wider economy.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah,, commended the Federal Government for the initiative and reaffirmed the Akwa Ibom State Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government on social investment programmes that improve the welfare of the people.
Umanah observed that the FarmerMoni intervention was particularly relevant to smallholder farmers, many of whom had recorded encouraging experiences from previous support initiatives, including improved yields and enhanced farming activities.
He emphasised the need to ensure that farmers were adequately informed about the programme and given the opportunity to benefit from it.
According to him, FarmerMoni complement the agricultural revolution pillar of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which prioritises food security, affordability and accessibility, while promoting sustainable agricultural production and improved livelihoods.
The Commissioner for Information urged relevant stakeholders to support effective implementation and ensure that the intervention reaches its intended beneficiaries.
On her part, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, assured of her ministry’s continued collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
Dr. Offor commended Princess Ibanga for her efforts in facilitating access to the intervention for farmers in the State, noting the importance of extending opportunities already available to farmers in other parts of the country to those in the state.
She disclosed that the intervention would be implemented in phases and urged beneficiaries to utilise any funds received judiciously for the intended agricultural purposes.
Speaking earlier, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Mr. Akanimo Effiong, described the exercise as another step in the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting farmers, strengthening grassroots livelihoods, promoting food security and improving the economic well-being of Nigerians.
He explained that GEEP, implemented under the National Social Investment Programme Agency, is a Federal Government intervention designed to provide accessible financial support to petty traders, market women, artisans and smallholder farmers.
“Through FarmerMoni, we are working to ensure that farmers at the grassroots have better opportunities to improve their agricultural activities, increase productivity and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Effiong said.
The Permanent Secretary, Human Capital Development, and State Statistician-General, Mr. Uduak Isaac, said the enumeration and training exercise would strengthen grassroots coordination and support the effective delivery of the programme across the 31 local government areas of the State.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Programme Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Programme (AKADEP), Mr. Emmanuel Ekanem, and the Chairlady of the All Farmers Association, Mrs. Philomena Bassey.
High point of the training exercise was the distribution of iPads and portable power banks to the Local Government Desk Officers to aid them in their enumeration exercise.
The FarmerMoni enumeration and training exercise forms part of broader efforts by the Federal and Akwa Ibom State Governments to expand access to economic opportunities, strengthen agricultural production and improve the welfare of vulnerable and low-income households.
Through the collaboration, both governments seek to improve the reach of social investment interventions and ensure that eligible farmers at the grassroots are identified and positioned to benefit from programmes that support agricultural development and food security.
Also in attendance at the event were, the General Manger, Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Unyime Etim, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Eno Akpan and Personal Assistant to the Governor on Persons with Disability, Mr. Ubong Ikpe among others.
