ATASP-1 National Coordinator says the programme will improve food, nutrition security in the country

By Agency Report

Dr Ibrahim Arabi, National Coordinate, Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme (ATASP-1) says the objective of Federal Government in establishing the programme is to improve food and nutritional security in the country.

Arabi said this in  a keynote address  in Nsukka on Friday during the 1st Biennial International conference organised by Faculty of Agriculture University of Nigeria Nsukka with the theme "Tropical Agricultural Rebirth in a changing World".

He said ATAPS-1, would enhance incomes and shared wealth of the programme beneficiaries on a sustainable basis through rice, cassava sorghum value chain.

"The main objective of government in establishing the programme is to improve food and nutritional security in the country.

"Enhance incomes and shared wealth of the programme beneficiaries on a sustainable basis through rice, cassava sorghum value chain.

"Other objectives include  to creat job and improve rural infrastructures for farmers," he said.

According to him, the programme is funded by African Development Bank (AfDB) the  programme were  being implemented  in seven states in the country.

The coordinator explained that ATASP-1awas expected to attract private sector investment, reduce post-harvest losses.

As well as add  value to local agricultural produce, develop rural infrastructure and enhance access to financial services

He commended the UNN faculty of agriculture for the conference and its numerous contributions towards achieving food security in the country.

In a remark, Prof Charles Igwe, Vice Chancellor, UNN said that the conference theme is very apt and a bold step in the right direction, stating that the outcome would improve agricultural education and food security in the country.

"This event is a significant activity of the faculty of agriculture whose objective is to improve agricultural education in Nigeria .

"As an efficient channel for agricultural production that contributes to food security and high-quality food for global consumption.

"Again, the conference is aimed to be a platform for researchers, scientists, and students from both UNN and other higher education and research institutions to present their beneficial research works related to the conference's theme," he said.

The VC  thanked the conference presenters and participants and expressed optimism that the event wiould bring valuable benefits and practical applications for sustainable development in tropical agriculture and food security

Also in a remark, Prof Augustine Ani, Chairman of the occasion said that agriculture holds great potential for the Nigerian economy despite the various global changes militating against food production threatening man's existence and survival.

Ani said that the conference would among other things help to midwife the desired agricultural rebirth in the changing world..

Speaking, Gov  Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State who was represented by Mr Matthew Idu, the Commissioner for Agriculture in the state commended the organisers of the conference.

Ugwuanyi however, urged faculties of agriculture in universities in the country to do more researches on practical ways in achieving food security in the country.

"The academics should find more practical approaches towards achieving food security in the country as what Nigerians are looking to see is result that will take agriculture to the next level,"he said.

Earlier, Prof Peter Ezeaku, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, UNN said that the conference was designed to provide productivity opportunities for academics and practitioners from interdisciplinary fields of tropical agriculture.

"This conference's theme is very appropriate, particularly at this crucial time when developing countries are in dire need of food security and alternative sources of income to drive the economy.

"The conference is designed to provide productivity opportunities for academics and practitioners from interdisciplinary fields of tropical agriculture agribusiness, resource, environmental economics and policy, crop and livestock production, among others to meet and share expertise and ideas in related disciplines.

"This broad thematic area provides practical and theoretical information on sustainable tropical agriculture, which is hoped to promote and raise awareness, particularly to the future generations,"he said

According to the dean,  agricultural development, nutrition, and food security will tackle the challenges of food insecurity for the growing  world population," he said.

Ezeaka disclosed, that participants of the conference were drwan from faculties of agriculture, in universities across the country.

Prof Maduebibisi Iwe, Vice-chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State presented the lead paper.
(NAN)