FG approves ATASP II, AfDB guarantees funding

The Federal Government ( FG) has formally approved the second phase of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme (ATASP II), even as this approval coincides with the readiness of the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fund the program towards enhanced food security.

The disclosure was made by the National Coordinator of ATASP II, Dr. Ibrahim Arabi, during an exclusive interview with Food Farm News.

Arabi clarified that ATASP II had always been in the plan since the initial phase one, saying that "We are now in preparation for the conduct of the necessary studies, including environmental studies."

He outlined a substantial expansion for the new phase, noting that " There is going to be more states, more crops, and more components"

The design of ATASP II aims to build directly on the lessons learned from its predecessor, saying that  "We are going to improve on what we have learned in step one to ensure smooth implementation." 

The National Coordinator of the program pointed out that the program will support the hard work of Nigeria's farmers with inputs, training, and capacity building adding that the government is balancing the plight of farmers on low farm produce with the new hope agenda of the Mr. President on food security.

" The objective is to empower producers to operate more effectively, efficiently, and abundantly with a clear goal of elevating their economic status.

According to him, "Yes, we also intend to upgrade them from peasantry to wealthier farmers, emphasizing the need to maintain a positive production trajectory to improve the nation’s food security.

Arabi also addressed recent market dynamics, acknowledging farmer concerns over falling food prices, saying that "Farmers have complained that they have produced, and the prices are going down. This is good for consumers, but it's not good for farmers. The government needs to provide intervention stabilization.