By Awesome Praise
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 a 75 percent subsidy on agro-inputs under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agropocket, NAGS-AP.
Under the new 75 percent 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, 4 Liters of Agro-chemicals and Maize or Rice Seeds.
Recall 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 percent 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 centers across Anambra and Enugu States.
Most of the centers visited by newsmen witnessed large turnout of profiled farmers paying the subsidy rate and taking home their inputs.
A the two redemption centers at Omor, Ayamelum local government area, farmers who received the SMs codes, prerequisite for the redemption package, were seen redeeming their packages.
At the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project, LAIP Office, Omor, Mr. Emeka Mmadubuko, a lead farmer from Ifite-Ogwari, who travelled from far distance with some farmers in his area for the redemption exercise, could not hide his joy after collecting his inputs.
“I’m very much happy. Infact, ATASP-1 have done well and God will continue to bless them. Atleast with these inputs, I’m certain that I will apply fertilizer 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, Mr Cletus Obiora described the NAGS-AP inputs distribution exercise as a confirmation of federal government’s determination to support farmers to increase productivity.
According to him, farmers in Ayamelum are not just happy over the inputs subsidy package but also 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 who also paid and collected her inputs at N52, 100, expressed gratitude to federal government for making her dream of dry season farming a reality.
“The truth is we have been dreaming of a time like this when it will be possible for rice farmers in Adani to cultivate dry season but with this input and the irrigation system that ATASP-1 has rehabilitated, our farming has moved from seasonal to all year round. We are grateful to ATASP-1 and federal government for this” she said.
The chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Hon. (Sir) Ifeanyi Chinweze also expressed joy over the inputs distribution exercise and thanked the federal government for coming to the rescue of the suffering masses at the grassroots. “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’m 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 Program Coordinator, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone, Dr. Romanus Egba, who also toured various redemption centers in Enugu and Anambra alongside some key state and local government officials, expressed satisfaction with the turnout of farmers and their orderly conducts so far.
Speaking to newsmen after inspection of redemption activities at the Amankanu Development center, Amechi-Idodo in Nkanu East Local Government area of Enugu State, Egba declared:
“We are happy that our farmers responded to this exercise with massive turnouts at various centers. Though the number of redemptions varies across centers, what we are seeing is impressive so far judging from the general apatthy that greeted the exercise initially when the subsidy package was 50 percent.
“This time around, with our massive enlightenment campaign 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 center with their money for redemption without waiting for SMs Code which is a prerequisite for redemption. But, we are happy that once we explain to them that the codes were being sent in batches, many understand and go home to return when they receive their redemption token.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the traditional ruler of Amankanu, HRM Igwe Bennett Ikenna, thanked the management of ATASP-1, federal government and African Development Bank, AfDB for coming to the aid of farmers.
