Farmers across Anambra and Enugu States are celebrating the Federal Government’s recent approval of a 75% subsidy on agricultural inputs under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase 1 (ATASP-1). The subsidy, part of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-pocket (NAGS-AP) of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, has been hailed as a game-changer for local farmers, promising increased crop yields and profits.
Through the NAGS-AP initiative, farmers who have been profiled under ATASP-1 received SMS Codes, allowing them to access heavily subsidized inputs. Depending on their location, these farmers pay between N47,500 and N52,100 to redeem packages that include 50kg of NPK, 50kg of Urea, 50kg of organic fertilizers, four liters of agro-chemicals, and either maize or rice seeds.
At the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project (LAIP) Office in Omor, Anambra State, farmers expressed their gratitude for the new subsidy. Mr. Emeka Mmadubuko, a lead farmer from Ifite-Ogwari, praised the initiative: “I am very happy. With these inputs, I can now apply fertilizer effectively, ensuring higher yields and greater profits.”
In Anambra, Mr. Cletus Obiora, another farmer who redeemed his inputs at the Joe Rich Rice Mill in Omor, emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to boosting productivity. He stated, “This program shows that the government is determined to support us in increasing productivity. The subsidy is a major relief for farmers in Ayamelum.”
Rice farmers in Enugu, like Mrs. Nkemdilim Ugbaji from Adani, also shared their excitement about the benefits of the program. “With the inputs and irrigation system provided by ATASP-1, we can now farm all year round. This is a dream come true for rice farmers in our area,” Ugbaji said.
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The input redemption exercise has drawn large crowds at various collection centers across the two states, with farmers eager to access the subsidies. The Zonal Programme Coordinator of ATASP-1 in Adani-Omor Zone, Dr. Romanus Egba, noted the impressive turnout. “We’ve seen a massive response from farmers, much better than during the previous 50% subsidy period. Our awareness campaign worked, and farmers are now seizing this opportunity.”
At the Omor redemption centers in Ayamelum Local Government Area, and at several other locations, farmers were seen lining up with their SMS Codes, ready to collect their much-needed inputs. Local leaders, such as the Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area, Hon. Ifeanyi Chinweze, expressed satisfaction with the program’s impact. “Our people are happy that the Federal Government has remembered them. This subsidy will make a huge difference in their productivity.”
The subsidy program is part of the government’s broader plan to revive agriculture and boost food security. Farmers in the region had previously struggled with high input costs, but the new 75% subsidy has made these essential resources more accessible. The program’s success is already evident, with farmers reporting higher turnout and positive feedback from the field.
