The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) does not want to be left behind in the race to tackle food insecurity in the country. It, therefore, took a step towards elevating agriculture in the territory recently by approving a contract to bolster dry season farming in the council areas under it. The contract was approved at a recent Executive Council meeting.
The contract approval was disclosed by Mr. Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, shortly after the council’s 10th meeting.
Geidam said agricultural inputs to be procured include 250 metric tonnes of NPK fertiliser, 300 metric tonnes of urea, 310 knapsack sprayers, and 3500 litres of liquid fertiliser.
“This marks the FCT administration’s inaugural investment in dry season farming, providing crucial inputs to irrigation farmers,” Geidam said. He added that the objective of the initiative is to transition farmers from rainfed agriculture to year-round farming through irrigation.
“The rainy season has ended, and we want to encourage dry season farming among our farmers. This will enable the farmers to engage in agricultural production all-year-round,” Geidam added.
The mandate secretary also commended the minister for approving the proposal, noting that the support is pivotal for the expansion of irrigation farming across the FCT. “The move will significantly help in meeting the food needs of the FCT population,” he concluded.
He added that the initiative is expected to enhance food security and sustain agricultural productivity throughout the dry season, which is a step forward for the FCT’s agricultural sector.
