The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the distribution and sale of fertilisers to farmers across the six area councils at 50 per cent subsidised rates, as part of efforts to combat food insecurity.
Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday in Abuja, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Chidi Amadi, described the initiative as a decisive step by the Federal Government to promote food self-sufficiency.
Wike urged farmers not to re-sell the fertilisers, stressing that the true value lay in the harvests and livelihoods it would sustain. “Together, let us commit to food self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and a vibrant agricultural future for the FCT and the nation,” he said.
He explained that the distribution was deliberately timed to coincide with the farming season to reduce production costs and improve yields, adding that mechanisms had been put in place to ensure the inputs reach genuine, certified farmers.
Wike also highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), focused on building the capacity of local farmers. He encouraged youths to embrace agriculture as a pathway to prosperity, rather than relying solely on white-collar jobs.
Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Abdullahi Ango, disclosed that the Secretariat had procured 550 metric tonnes of fertiliser, including NPK, urea, fertiliser gels and 3,500 knapsack sprayers, all to be sold at subsidised rates. He said the distribution would be strictly monitored to prevent diversion.
Mandate Secretary of Women Affairs, Dr Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, praised the programme’s gender-inclusive approach, noting its support for women farmers. She cited the MUJE PUJE Project, a flagship food security programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda, as key to empowering women, youth, students and households through agriculture.
Traditional rulers and stakeholders from across the FCT attended the event.
(NAN)