The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) began the distribution of 900 metric tonnes of fertilizer to farmers within the territory on Wednesday. The initiative, which is part of efforts to address food security challenges, was inaugurated by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, in Abuja.
Dr. Mahmoud stated that the fertilizer was donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and received through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The initiative is a strategic response to global food shortages, aimed at supporting farmers in the FCT.
“The FCT Administration is acutely aware of the challenges faced by our people due to the rising cost of food items,” Dr. Mahmoud said. “We have been proactively implementing measures to address this issue. In the past two months alone, we have launched several initiatives aimed at enhancing food production, including partnerships with the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank to provide farmers with a comprehensive range of agricultural inputs.”
Dr. Mahmoud emphasized the importance of both agricultural inputs and knowledge of good agronomic practices. “While inputs are vital for enhancing production, understanding and implementing best practices in agriculture is equally crucial. This is why the FCTA has consistently invested in knowledge acquisition over the years.”
She assured that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, has adhered strictly to the CBN’s distribution guidelines, including the establishment of an ad-hoc committee tasked with strategizing and overseeing the distribution process. The goal is to ensure that the fertilizers reach the intended beneficiaries—dedicated farmers in the FCT.
The FCT Minister also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the welfare and prosperity of Abuja’s residents, noting that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, is dedicated to transforming the territory into a preferred destination for investors.
Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, highlighted that this intervention reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector. He noted that the distribution committee includes representatives from farmers’ associations, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, area council authorities, traditional institutions, and government agencies, all in line with CBN guidelines.
“We are optimistic that the distribution of these fertilizers will result in a bountiful harvest this year, which will enhance food availability, improve nutrition, and foster economic growth and overall well-being for FCT residents,” Geidam said.
Grace Adayilo, Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, assured that strict measures are in place to prevent the fertilizer from being diverted to the market. “Any fertilizer that ends up in the market will be met with divine retribution,” Adayilo warned.
Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Ifraimu Dauda, expressed gratitude to the FCTA and CBN for the support. He emphasized that while fertilizer is crucial to agricultural production, access to it remains a significant challenge for farmers. Dauda urged the government to be cautious of “social media farmers” and to focus on supporting genuine farmers in local communities. He also called for increased support for irrigation farming to boost dry season agriculture in the FCT.
