The Federal Government have been commended for its efforts so far in ensuring that farmers, processors and other agricultural value chain actors under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-One, ATASP-1 are encouraged to contribute to food security in Nigeria.
ATASP-1 Beneficiaries in Enugu and Anambra States made the commendations when a delegation from Africa Development Bank, Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Ministry of Finance, Water Resources as well as ATASP-1 toured some project sites executed by the programme in Enugu and and Enugu States.
Correspondent reports that rural farmers said With ATASP-1, the realization of the President Bola Tinubu's agenda on food for all will be achievable in no distant time.
In late 2020, the Federal government, through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program, Phase-One, ATASP-1 awarded contract for the concrete Lining of 22.45KM and 44.1km of Irrigation Canals in Adani and Omor axis of Enugu and Anambra states.
The massive projects was aimed at ensuring dry season rice farming in the areas and contributing to the federal government's agenda for food security in the country.
The team visited numerous project sites executed under ATASP-1 in Adani and Omor axis to evaluate the status and quality projects and impact of the numerous agricultural transformation programmes of the government being financed by AfDB.
In Adani, the team inspected the Double Span Obinna Bridge which connects the Ada Rice Irrigation Project farm command areas, feeder roads as well as recently completed canals which is already supplying water to the field for dry season farming.
The team also visited the Modern rice market built by ATASP-1 at Adani as well as Modern Cottage Hospital at Asaba, also in Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State.
In Ayamelum, the team visited the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project, LAIP's pumping station at Ifite-Ogwari as well as ongoing Canal Lining sites at Omor as well as completed access roads.
The team also interacted with beneficiaries at Adani and Omor who took turns to testify on how the ATASP-1 trainings on Good Agronomic Practices, GAPs, and other supports had transformed their lives.
Chief Obiora Peter Mmuoneke, a rice farmer from Omor community, testified that with ATASP-1 trainings and supports, he was able to build a six room bungalow and train three of his children to university level and expanding his business.
A lead farmer in the area, Chief Cletus Obiora while thanking ATASP-1, remarked that the Concrete linning and resuscitation of the Irrigation system, they are expecting to produce more tonnes of rice annually.
Mrs. Gloria Udemezue, a rice farmer and processor from Omor community said that apart from expanding her farming production from two (2) to six (6) hectares she now make more money from producing snacks from rice flour. According to her, under ATASP-1, she has prospered beyond her imagination, building her own house and training her four children in schools, among others.
During an interactive session at Adani, the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani local government, Enugu, Hon. Barr. Chijioke Ezeugwu, represented by Local Government Secretary, Mr. Casmir Adamu, commended ATASP-1 for the quality of infrastructure they built in the area and, pledged that the council would continue to partner with the Federal and state governments in ensuring the security of farmers and well utilization of the infrastructures.
A led farmer, Chief Bernard Idu while recalling the difficulties they faced while trying to evacuate produce from the farmlands commended the agency for being upright in the supervision and execution of the numerous projects.
In a remark, the Zonal Coordinator of ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone, Dr. Romanus Egba said the aim of the project was to give the farmers a sure means of survival by empowering them with capacity building, inputs supports, as well as creating enabling environment for increase food production with economic and social/ancillary infrastructures also provided to enhance their living standard.
The National Program Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Arabi, also added that ATASP-1 has proven to be a game-changer in the quest by federal government to address food Insecurity in the country. Arabi expressed joy with the outpouring of testimonies from beneficiaries of the program in Adani-Omor Zone.
The AfDB Task Team Manager for ATASP-1, Dr. Tobi Karikari, also expressed satisfaction with the achievements made so far by the FG through ATASP-1 both in provision of Infrastructure and empowerment for the farmers.
He therefore called on the farmers to put into proper use the facilities and knowledge gathered, to enable them contribute their quota towards building a greater society.