The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has began revising the territory’s database of farmers and agriculture-related institutions.
This is part of a strategy to address specific gaps in the delivery of effective and reliable agricultural support services, particularly in the areas of input and extension.
Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, announced this at the International Conference Centre Abuja during the opening ceremony of the Agribusiness Innovation Conference and Expo.
She also stated that the administration has initiated the renovation of old facilities while striving to construct new ones as part of its efforts to modernize agricultural infrastructure.
Despite farmers’ crucial role in the fight against hunger, Aliyu acknowledged that the agricultural sector faces a number of challenges, including a lack of information on best agricultural practices, insufficient financial support, access to inputs, storage and processing facilities, pest infestation, market access, and improved technology.
She claimed that the administration had taken steps to address these concerns and restore agriculture’s significance.
According to her, she has implemented various federal government agricultural projects such as the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS), the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), and the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), among others.
According to her; “On the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) funded AADS, all the six Area Councils of the FCT, as well as participating farmers and off-takers have been fully mobilised and are ready for the take-off of the programme at the start of the 2021 dry season farming”.
Earlier, the Ag. Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Malam Ishaq Abubakar Sadeeq, described the theme ‘#End Hunger: “Building A National Resilience For Sustainable Food Security” as apt considering the fact that the country more than ever before was in dire need of the participation of key stakeholders in enhancing agribusiness for increased food security and employment.
He noted that the FCT was not just about infrastructural development, as the Administration has been giving due attention to the agricultural sector in order to meet the needs of the growing population of FCT with food and nutrition.
Sadeeq said the administration has been implementing programmes aimed at making agriculture attractive to the populace and investors particularly in the areas of agricultural value chains development.
