The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) began distributing 900 metric tonnes of fertilizer to farmers in the FCT on Wednesday.
The fertilizer, provided free of charge, was donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of efforts to address global food shortages.
At the inauguration of the distribution exercise in Abuja, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, explained that the fertilizer was received through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. She noted that the FCTA, through its Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, had fully complied with the distribution guidelines set by the CBN.
This included forming a broad-based ad-hoc committee to ensure the fertilizer reaches the intended beneficiaries—dedicated and hardworking farmers in the FCT.
“The FCT Administration is well aware of the challenges faced by the populace due to the high cost of food items, and we have been taking proactive steps to address the situation.
“In the past two months, we have undertaken several initiatives to boost food production, including providing farmers with a comprehensive range of agricultural inputs in collaboration with the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.”
Dr. Mahmoud emphasized the importance of not only providing agricultural inputs but also equipping farmers with the knowledge of good agronomic practices.
“This is why the FCT Administration has consistently invested in knowledge acquisition over the years,” she added.
She also reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to the welfare and prosperity of Abuja’s residents and noted that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is dedicated to transforming the FCT into a preferred destination for investors.
Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, highlighted that the intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector.
Geidam noted that the distribution committee included farmers, civil organizations, faith-based groups, Area Council authorities, traditional institutions, and government agencies, all in line with CBN guidelines.
“We are optimistic that the fertilizers will lead to a bumper harvest this year, improving food availability, nutrition, economic growth, and the overall well-being of FCT residents,” Geidam stated.
Grace Adayilo, the Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, assured that measures had been put in place to prevent the fertilizer from being sold in the market.
“Any fertilizer that ends up in the market will be met with ‘Holy Ghost Fire’,” she warned, referring to divine punishment for those who try to profit from the distribution.
Ifraimu Dauda, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, praised the FCTA and CBN for their support. He noted that while fertilizer is essential for agricultural production, access to it remains a significant challenge for farmers.
He urged the government to focus on real farmers in communities rather than “social media farmers” and to support irrigation farming to strengthen dry season agriculture in the FCT.