PRESS RELEASE:FCT farmers to get inputs at half price - Minister …

…plans massive upgrade of Agric centres

As part of the ongoing efforts to boost food production in the FCT and also fast track the country’s economic recovery, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has flagged off the sales of subsidized inputs to farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello performed the exercise on Wednesday in Gwagwalada.

The Minister who was represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye revealed that the farm inputs such as water pumps, sprayers and Agro chemicals would be sold to each beneficiary at 50% subsidized price.

His words: “The essence of this exercise today is to provide support to FCT Farmers through provision of critical Agricultural inputs in order to improve food production and income to farmers. The Administration has procured enough inputs for all-year round farming activities”.

Malam Bello said the FCT Administration would soon commence upgrading of facilities in 11 Agro Services Centres of the Six Area Councils, adding that the initiative will ease farmers’ access to high quality inputs.

The Minister explained that already, the FCT Administration has demonstrated its readiness to ensure that farmers have seamless access to agricultural inputs by keying into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchors Borrowers’ Scheme as well as the revised Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) of the Federal Government, among others.

“The FCT Administration is determined to improve the Agricultural productivity of farmers by giving them incentives and implementing projects/programmes aimed at making Agriculture profitable and attractive to the youths”, he said.

He charged Farmers’ groups and cooperative societies to take advantage of other agricultural programmes of the FCT such as Agric land Development Programme in Kwali Area council, Subsidized Tractors and Implements to farmers’ groups and individual corporate farmers as well as the Back-to-Land programme, all geared towards providing jobs for interested youth and women.

Speaking earlier, the Acting Secretariat of Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat, Dr. Musa Aliyu explained that the exercise would provide support to smallholder farmers, boost employment and wealth creation.

The Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Mustapha Adamu in his remark said the exercise clearly showed the commitment of FCT Administration towards enhancing agriculture in the Six Area Councils of FCT.

On his part, the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunasa called on the FCT Administration to assist the Area Councils to procure tractors, fertilizers as well as access to soft loans.

Signed:

Tony Odey,Press Secretary,FCT Permanent Secretary’s Office.