Minister of State the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, Wednesday kicked off the distribution of approximately 900 metric tonnes of 30 trucks of assorted fertilizers to farmers in the territory.
At the flag off ceremony held in Abuja, the minister stated that the assorted fertilizers were donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMA&FS) to the FCT Administration for distribution to farmers in the nation’s capital.
The minister also said that the event was a manifestation of the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic response with a view to addressing the global challenge of food shortages.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by the populace regarding the high cost of food items, Mahmoud expressed the commitment of the administration to proactively implement measures to address the situation.
“As you may recall, within the past two months, we have undertaken several initiatives to enhance food production. In collaboration with the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank, we achieved a significant milestone by providing farmers with a comprehensive range of agricultural inputs.
“Building on this success, we also successfully distributed the palliatives approved by Mr. President, bringing much-needed relief and succor to the residents of the FCT,” she stated.
She, however, assured that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat has fully adhered to the distribution guidelines outlined by the CBN which includes the setting up of a broad-based ad-hoc committee to strategise and come up with distribution plans that would ensure the fertilizers reach the intended beneficiaries.
The minister thanked partners for their support in training of Agricultural Extension Agents and farmers, adding that the administration is committed to sustaining the synergy and continuing the efforts to empower agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.
The minister used the occasion to call on FCT residents, particularly the youth population, to take advantage of the vast arable land that the FCT is blessed with and venture into agriculture, no matter how small.
On his part, the Mandate Secretary Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Hon. Lawan Kolo Geidam, noted that the donation from the Central Bank of Nigeria was apt and timely response to mitigate the adverse impact of the current global food crisis, exacerbated by climate change, low production, and high prices on Nigerians.
He further stated that the intervention was also an unequivocal reaffirmation of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to his Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises agricultural revitalisation by empowering farmers with essential inputs.
