The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has begun the process of updating the database of farmers and all agriculture-related institutions in the territory.
This is to provide effective and robust agricultural support services, particularly in the aspects of input and extension services in the area.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu made this known at the opening ceremony of the Agribusiness Innovation Conference and Expo held at the International Conference Centre Abuja.
Rehabilitation of old facilities
He said as part of efforts to upgrade agricultural infrastructure, the administration had embarked on the rehabilitation of old facilities while efforts were being made to establish new ones.
Aliyu acknowledged that despite the important roles that farmers played to eliminate hunger, the sector was faced with challenges, including; lack of information on good agricultural practices, insufficient financial support, access to inputs, storage and processing facilities, pest infestation, access to markets and improved technology.
She said the administration has adopted strategies to overcome these challenges and restore agriculture to its prime position.
Agricultural initiatives
Some of the strategies adopted according to her, include; keying into the various the Nigerian Government Agricultural initiatives such as the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS), the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP), amongst others.
“On the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) funded AADS, all the six Area Councils of the FCT, and 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,” she stated.
The Acting Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Malam Ishaq Sadeeq, described the theme ‘#End Hunger: “Building A National Resilience For Sustainable Food Security” as apt considering the fact that the country more than 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, to meet up with the needs of the growing population of FCT in terms 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.
Lateefah Ibrahim
