ATASP1 HAILS GOVERNOR PETER MBAH’S COMMITMENT TO AGRIC DEVELOPMENT IN ENUGU

The Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-One (ATASP-1), an intervention program under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has hailed the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for his genuine commitment towards agricultural transformation and exponential food production increase in the state.

The Program Coordinator, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Staple Crops Implementation Zone, Dr. Romanus Egba, said in a press statement that Governor Mbah has demonstrated a strong desire to use his administration’s policy initiatives to achieve sustainable agricultural development in the state with his massive investments and strategic partnership with relevant stakeholders aimed at achieving quantum food increase in the state.

“His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah has shown to us that he is genuinely committed to supporting ATASP-1’s impactful development interventions in the state with the recent release of N532 Million as Seven (7) years outstanding counterpart funds from Enugu government to the program.

“He has demonstrated that he is a compassionate leader who understands the feelings and needs of farmers in Enugu and is ready to improve their productive capacities, income generation and living standards.

Egba, also stressed that with such support ATASP-1 would always be ready to help the farmers both in terms of training on Good Agronomics Practices (GAPs) and provision of infrastructure to enhance their agricultural activities.

According to him, with the recent payment of the counterpart fund, ATASP 1 is now in a position to assist about 12000 farmers in the state for the dry season farming, establish agro-processing centre in the state as well as complete the ongoing jobs in the state.

“We are highly encouraged by the positive disposition of Mbah administration towards agriculture and aggressive efforts to kick-start dry season rice farming in the state. We believe that this massive support from Governor Mbah administration will go a long way in helping the program achieve its mandate of increased food production, job creation, and standard of living in the state and the nation.

He further disclosed that the program had invested billions of Naira in massive infrastructure development in Uzo-Uwani, including the Ada Rice Irrigation Canal lining project, construction of over 63KM access road within the irrigation command area, as well as construction of Two-Span Obinna Bridge, ultra-modern rice market, solar-panel borehole, health clinic and two-block of classroom in a bid to enhance food production and quality of life in the area.