By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT) has reiterated its determination to lay a strong foundation towards, enhancing rapid development of the Agricultural sector.
Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, made this declaration while making a presentation during the visit by participants of Course 44, 2022 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, who were on a study tour of FCT.
Abubakar noted that the FCT has been burdened by challenges occasioned by the growing influx of people into the territory, stressing that with the huge expectations, the Agriculture sector provides the best viable option for them to earn sustainable source of livelihood.
According to a statement from Deputy Director, Information at the ARDS, Zakari Aliyu, the Administration is adopting innovative strategies strategy that will help unearth the abundant potentials of the sector at the grassroot level as well as create an all- inclusive, investor-friendly environment that interested stakeholders can key into for optimal utilisation of the vast arable land of over 600,000 hectares earmarked for Agriculture and Forestry development as contained in the FCT masterplan.
He added that the Secretariat is making concerted efforts to reposition Agricultural Extension Services in recognition of its crucial role in the food production system, ensuring that farmers acquire basic knowledge and skills needed to enhance the quantity and quality of Agricultural products.
He further disclosed that the Secretariat is Strengthening its synergy with renowned Agricultural based Institutions such as the National Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) amongst others to assist in building the capacities of the Extension Agents in modern and effective trends in Agricultural practices which are stepped down to farmers across the 62 wards of the FCT.
He equally used the opportunity to commend the Minister of State FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who has been in the fore-front of promoting peaceful coexistence in the FCT through her community engagement initiative which has been effective in curtailing incidences of conflicts and boosting investor confidence in the Territory.
Speaking on the progress made in the implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Project (SAPZ) that is being sponsored by the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), ARDS boss hinted that the Administration has been able to fulfilled all the requirements set by the Bank and is fully prepared for the take-off of the project, targeted at not only improving the livestock sector in terms of production and development of associated Livestock value chains, but also in creating more than 10, 000 jobs as well as enhancing infrastructural development of the host community.
He also disclosed that the FCT Administration has equally keyed into the Nigeria CARES Project, making use of the FADAMA structures to bring relief to about 12,400 vulnerable households as stipulated in the Agricultural Component of the programme.
He equally revealed that technical implementation committee has already obtained data on specific needs that will be addressed through the programme.
