By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has given succour to farmers across the six Area Councils of the territory through the provision of 550 metric tonnes of assorted fertilisers at 50 percent subsidised rate.
During the flag-off ceremony which was conducted by the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike on Thursday in Abuja, he disclosed that the administration procured the fertilizers which include conventional NPK, granular urea, NPK gel and urea gel fertilizers for onward distribution to farmers that have been verified by the administration.
He said the administration took the initiative with sole aim of boosting food production, stabilise prices and strengthen food security in view of rising global costs of agricultural inputs.
“This initiative is a cornerstone of our commitment to food security and agricultural revitalisation. It comes at the peak of the farming season when our farmers need support the most. With these inputs, we aim not only to boost yields but also to cushion the effects of rising food costs on households
“To whom much is given, much is expected. I passionately appeal to our farmers not to sell these fertilisers but to use them to cultivate their lands and feed their families and the FCT at large,” he said.
The minister urged FCT youtht to embrace farming, saying that the territory is blessed with vast arable land.
“Instead of waiting endlessly for white-collar jobs, our young people should go into agriculture. It is time to return to the farms and produce what we eat,” he urged.
The Minister gave recognition to some organisations that have been helping farmers by way of collaboration in the areas of training, capacity building and reclamation of degraded land.
Earlier, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat for the FCTA, Abdullahi Suleiman Ango, disclosed that in addition to fertilisers, 3,500 knapsack sprayers had also been procured for distribution.
He explained that only certified farmers were selected to benefit from the intervention, with strict monitoring measures put in place to prevent diversion.
