Enugu: The Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase One (ATASP-1) states that the Federal Government plans to remove excess food from circulation.
ATASP-1, an initiative funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and supported by the Federal Government, aims to enhance agricultural productivity and value chain development across the country.
Dr Romanus Egba, Zonal Programme Coordinator, ATASP-1, Adani-Omor Zone, told journalists in Enugu on Tuesday that there was no cause for alarm over possible post-harvest losses.
Egba noted that the Federal Government had strategic food reserves and was purchasing food from farmers, storing it for preservation, and releasing it during periods of scarcity.
He attributed the recent decline in food prices in the country to a combination of specific factors.
According to him, first, after the 2023 food crisis, many people rushed into food production in 2024, which led to a substantial increase in the quantity of food available on the market this year, unlike in previous years.
“Secondly, the decision of the Federal Government to open our border and allow imported foodstuffs to compete with locally produced ones also contributed significantly to the crash in price of food.
“The consequence now is that most farmers are adversely affected by this development as many of them can no longer recover the cost of production.”
On insecurity in agricultural production areas in Enugu State, Egba stated that ATASP-1 believed the state government had made significant efforts towards addressing the challenge.
” I will use Adani, where ATASP-1 last year completed the rehabilitation of the Ada Rice Irrigation System to pave the way for dry season rice farming, which could not be held then because of security challenges.
” The state government has been able to post Navy personnel to flashpoints inside the irrigation farm command area, thereby allowing farmers to return to their farms.
” Local vigilante operatives are also collaborating with the military to enhance security in the areas.
” ATASP-1 was also able to complete its projects because of our excellent working relationship with these security operatives, especially the local vigilante operatives,” he added.
