Minister Begins Fertiliser Distribution To FCT Farmers

Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has launched the distribution of around 900 metric tonnes of fertilizer, delivered via 30 trucks, to farmers in the territory.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Abuja, Mahmoud explained that the assorted fertilizers were provided 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 local farmers.

She highlighted that this initiative reflects President Bola Tinubu’s strategic efforts to combat food shortages and address the challenges posed by the rising cost of food items. Mahmoud emphasized the administration’s commitment to implementing proactive measures to alleviate these issues.

“In the past two months, we have launched several initiatives to boost food production,” she noted. “In collaboration with the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank, we have provided farmers with a wide range of agricultural inputs. Additionally, we successfully distributed palliatives approved by the President, offering much-needed relief to FCT residents.”

The minister assured that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat strictly adhered to the distribution guidelines set by the CBN, which included forming an ad-hoc committee to develop a plan ensuring the fertilizer reaches the intended beneficiaries.

She expressed gratitude to partners for their support in training agricultural extension agents and farmers and reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to continuing efforts to equip agricultural stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills for success.

Mahmoud encouraged FCT residents, especially the youth, to capitalize on the vast arable land in the territory and invest in agriculture, regardless of the scale.

Hon. Lawan Kolo Geidam, Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, praised the CBN’s donation as a timely and appropriate response to mitigate the effects of the global food crisis, worsened by climate change, low production, and high prices.