By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
In a continual effort to ensure food security in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the FCT Minister Barr Nysome Wike has flagged – off the distribution and sales of fertilizers at a 50% subsidy to farmers across the six area councils The FCT Minister who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Chidi Amadi at the flag-off event in Garki on Thursday, said that the flag- off of the distribution and sales of fertilizers at 50% subsidized rates to farmers across the six area councils of the FCT is to elicit agricultural revitalization and to ensure food security for the people of the FCT.
“This initiative underscores our firm commitment to food security, agricultural revitalization, and the welfare of our people.”
“As the FAO has emphasized, food insecurity threatens dignity, stability, and peace,” Wike said.
The minister noted that in alignment with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the FCTA has institutionalized this annual support scheme to ease production costs and enhance yields.
“This year, we have procured 50 metric tons of subsidized fertilizers, as already outlined by the Mandate Secretary. The timing of this exercise is deliberate—coinciding with the farming season—to ensure that farmers can access inputs when they are most needed.”
“Together, these interventions are reclaiming degraded lands, supporting livelihoods, and revitalizing key agricultural sectors.”
According to the minister, mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that these resources reach genuine farmers and to prevent diversion or misuse.
He further disclosed that aside from the distribution of fertilisers to farmers, FCTA, has partnered with JKI, IITA, FAO, and the Leventis Foundation, to build the capacity of farmers to promote good agronomic practices.
Also, supporting the initiative are the World Bank Food Access Project, the Islamic Development Bank via the SAPAZ Programme, and the FCT FADAMA CARES Project.
Wike stated, The administration is committed to building a prosperous, inclusive, and secure city. Our enhanced security efforts are already restoring confidence in our communities and providing a safe environment for agriculture and investment.”
Furthermore, he charged youths to take advantage of tbe arable land and to embrace agriculture as a viable pathway to prosperity, instead of waiting endlessly for white-collar jobs.
To the beneficiaries, the minister advised them to use the fertilizers strictly for cultivation and not to sell them for peanuts.
Meanwhile, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Comrade Abdullahi Suleiman Ango, revealed that 3,500 knapsack sprayers had also been procured for distribution, in addition to the fertilizers. However, Ango explained that beneficiaries of the intervention were selected certified farmers, under strict monitoring measures put in place to prevent diversion.
“The importance of agriculture cannot be overstated. With a fast-growing population, investing in agriculture is our surest path to self-sufficiency, job creation, and food security,” he emphasized.
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