By Randy Odogu, Abuja
The West Africa Agricultural Transformation Programme (WAATP), said it will partner with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), to support and strengthen agricultural production process in Nigeria and the West African sub region.
WAATP, which is the second phase of the World Bank funded agricultural support programme for West African countries is coming, following the success of the first phase of the programme, the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) for farmers and agricultural value chain stakeholders in the region
Speaking when he received the Country Representative for IFDC and his delegation in his office in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Project Coordinator of WAATP Nigeria, Dr James Apoochi, said much can be achieved in Nigeria and the region through the collaboration with IFDC, adding WAATP has sensitized farmers on the effective use of fertilizers in the first phase of the project.
He said the second phase of the programme will soon commence in Nigeria as soon as expected funding for the project is received.
WAATP Nigeria’s objective, according to the national project coordinator, is focused on improving agricultural productivity, including aquaculture, the production of healthy grains, poultry, fingerlings production, alongside the utilization of developed technology in all agricultural areas.
Apoochi said WAATP aims to surpass its achievements in the first phase not only in Nigeria, but also in its support for other West African countries involved in the programme.
According to the project coordinator, the first phase of the project has been completed, with more than three million farmers and farming communities benefiting and more than 600 villages and communities already covered nationwide.
The national project coordinator said the adopted villages concept initiated by WAATP Nigeria has become a successful initiative that has led to increased harvests, productivity and food security in many parts of Nigeria by reduction of post-harvest losses.
“WAATP has partnered with 16 universities, trained thousands, and through its partnership with States Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs), is operating in all 36 states of Nigeria.
“In this second phase, we will go further by partnering with, and working with more stakeholders, including colleges of agriculture, and the national research system. Women and youth, of which we have already trained more than 1.3 million) in the first phase, will form 50 percent of our targets beneficiaries in this phase”, the national project explained.
He said with Nigeria set to be regional headquarters in aquaculture and mechanization, that WAATP, Nigeria will provide training in various fields for famers and relevant stakeholders, while workshops will be held across Nigeria with farmers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural production and value chain.
On his part, the country representative for IFDC, Mr. Mohammed Salasi Idris, while commending the activities of WAATP Nigeria, said the IFDC is pleased with what it has seen, and is willing to collaborate in the development and sustenance of agricultural development in Nigeria.
According to the IFDC Country Representative, WAATP Nigeria is already playing a major role in the agricultural development of West African countries.
“IFDC will work with WAATP Nigeria to improve fertilizer production and to supply, improved seeds and livestock development”.
Speaking In the same vein, a member of the delegation, Mr. Robin Wheeler, of the Future Growth through Regional Agricultural Input System (EnGRAIS) Project, said IFDC will partner with WAATP Nigeria across the broad spectrum of agricultural value chain in Nigeria.
