ATASP-1 Farmers Hail FG Over 75% Subsidy Agro Inputs Distribution in Anambra, Enugu

By Obinna Onuora

Farmers under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase one, ATASP-1 in Adani-Omor Staple Crops Processing Zone, have hailed the Federal Government for recent approval of 75 per cent subsidy on agro-inputs.

The 75 per cent subsidy on agro-inputs for ATASP-1 farmers under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-pocket (NAGS-AP), approved by President Bola Tinubu under his Renewed Hope agenda is designed to enhance food productivity.

Under the new 75 per cent subsidy package, profiled farmers under ATASP-1 who received SMS Codes (or e-token) pay between N47,500 and N52,100 depending on their location, to collect 50kg of NPK, 50kg of Urea and 50kg of organic fertilizers, four litres of agro-chemicals and maize or rice seeds.

At the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project, LAIP Office, Omor in Anambra, Mr Emeka Mmadubuko, a lead farmer from Ifite-Ogwari community, expressed joy after collecting his inputs, adding that the current subsidy had shown Federal Government care for farmers.

Mmadubuko, who travelled from far distance with some farmers in his area for the redemption exercise, said: “I am very much happy. In fact, ATASP-1 has done well and God will continue to bless them.

“At least with these inputs, I am certain that I will apply fertiliser very well on my rice farm and the yields will be greater and I will make greater profits.

“I sincerely thank the Federal Government for this subsidy program. It will go a long way to ease the pains of average farmers who could not have afforded these inputs,” he said.

Another farmer who also redeemed his inputs at Joe Rich Rice Mill, Omor in Anambra, Mr Cletus Obiora, described the NAGS-AP inputs distribution as a confirmation of the Federal Government’s determination to support farmers to increase productivity.

According to Obiora, farmers in Ayamelum are happy over the inputs subsidy package and for the massive investments made by the Federal Government under ATASP-1 for resuscitation of the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project for dry season farming in the area.

Mrs Nkemdilim Ugbaji, a rice farmer at Adani in Enugu State, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for making her dream of dry season farming a reality.

“With this input and the irrigation system that ATASP-1 had rehabilitated; rice farmers in Adani have moved from seasonal farming to all-year round farming.

“We are grateful to ATASP-1 and the Federal Government for this,” Ugbaji, who also paid and collected her inputs at N52,100, said.

The Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Hon. Ifeanyi Chinweze, expressed joy over the input distribution and thanked the Federal Government for coming to the rescue of suffering masses, who are mostly farmers at the grassroots.

Chinweze said, “Our people are happy that Federal Government has finally remember that they are farming and needed support. You can see how they came out in large numbers to redeem their inputs.

“As a local government chairman, I am happy seeing my people smile home with agro inputs because I know the huge impact it will make in their productivity in a few months time. So, I want to thank them for this opportunity.”

The Zonal Programme Coordinator, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone, Dr. Romanus Egba, who toured redemption centers in Enugu and Anambra States alongside key state and local government officials, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of farmers and their orderly conducts.

Speaking to newsmen after inspection of redemption activities at Amankanu Development Centre, Amechi-Idodo in Nkanu East council area of Enugu State, Egba said: “We are happy that our farmers responded to this exercise with massive turnouts at various centres.

“Though the number of redemptions varies across centres, what we are seeing is impressive so far judging from the general apathy that greeted the exercise initially when the subsidy package was 50 per cent.

“This time around, with our massive enlightenment they were able to come out in large numbers.

“The only minor challenge we are having is that many who hear about the development usually rush to the centre with their money for redemption without waiting for SMs Code which is a prerequisite for redemption.”

Egba noted that it was gratifying that once we explained to them that the SMS Codes were being sent in batches, many understood and went home to return when they receive their SMS Codes redemption token.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Traditional Ruler of Amankanu, Igwe Bennett Ikenna, thanked the management of ATASP-1, Federal Government and African Development Bank (AfDB) for coming to the aid of farmers.

It would be recalled that the NAGS-AP inputs collection exercise was flagged-off at Ikem, Isi-Uzo Local Government Headquarters, Enugu State earlier on July 30, 2024, at 50 per cent subsidy rate.

The exercise was largely unsuccessful as farmers complained of high cost of the inputs.

However, following the recent slash in the price, jubilant farmers had started trooping to the ten designated collection centres across Anambra and Enugu States.

Most of the centres visited by newsmen witnessed large turnout of profiled farmers paying the subsidy rate and taking home their inputs after receiving the SMS Code.

A the two redemption centers at Omor in Ayamelum Local Government Area, farmers who received the SMS Codes, prerequisite for the redemption package, were seen redeeming their packages. Similar crowd of farmers were equally sighted at other nine redemption centers visited across eight local government areas of Anambra and Enugu.