By Ikeugonna Eleke
The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has been commended for its efforts in ensuring the attainment of food security in Nigeria.
The commendation came from Africa Development Bank (ADP) and farmers who are mostly beneficiaries of the impactful Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-One, codenamed ATASP-1.
ADP and the benefiting farmers from Enugu and Anambra States, including the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Finance, Water Resources, toured some project sites executed by the programme in Anambra and Enugu States.
The rural farmers who were on the delegation praised ATASP-1, saying that with its drive, the realization of the President Bola Tinubu’s agenda on food for all would be achievable in no distant time.
One of the farmers, Chief Obiora Peter Mmuoneke, a rice farmer from Omor Community, testified that with ATASP-1 trainings and support, he was able to build a six-room bungalow and train three of his children to university level and expanding his business.
Other farmers, including Mr Cletus Obiora and Mrs. Gloria Udemezue, praised the programme for its impactful nature on local farmers.
The delegation visited several project sites executed by ATASP-1, including the concrete lining of 22.45KM and 44.1km of Irrigation Canals in Adani and Omor axis of Enugu and Anambra States, and numerous other projects 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.
The team also visited the modern rice market built by ATASP-1 at Adani, as well as a modern cottage hospital.
In his remarks, 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 support, as well as creating an enabling environment for increased food production with economic and social/ancillary infrastructure also provided to enhance their living standard.
The National Programme Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Arabi, also added that ATASP-1 had proven to be a game-changer in the quest by the Federal Government to address food Insecurity in the country. Arabi expressed joy at the outpouring of testimonies from beneficiaries of the programme in Adani-Omor Zone.
