By Stanley Onyekwere
No fewer than two hundred farmers and agricultural field officers in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have received training on the effective handling and use of organic and synthetic fertilizers, as part of strategic measures to boost food production and enhance food security.
Our correspondent reports that the trainees drawn from across the six Area Councils of the FCT, at a capacity building and sensitisation workshop were thoroughly drilled on the proper use and importance of organic fertilizers.
Declaring the workshop open yesterday at Sheda community, in Kwali, Acting Secretary, FCT Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Ibe Prospect Chukwuemeka, described as apt the training programme happening when the rains have started, as it will go a long way, in guiding them on effective measures in addressing soil fertility and crop failure through the use of the synthetic fertilizers.
Chukwuemeka, noted that the issue of capacity building especially for Extension Agents and Field Officers has been a priority for the Secretariat, because they are closest to the rural farmers, who due to lack of knowledge of efficient farming techniques have suffered a great loses.
He explained it is pertinent to note that the use of organic fertilizers (Granular and Liquid) is a new innovation that is practiced globally as it helps to promote rapid nutrient absorption by plants, and also improve soil fertility and plant growth leading to bumper harvest.
While calling on FCT farmers to embrace the new approach, ARDS boss assured them that the FCT Administration will not relent in its effort to find lasting solutions to the problem of crop failure experienced by farmers.
According to him; “On inception into office, the present FCT leadership under the Hon. FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, and the Hon. of State, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu made their intention clear to pursue the implementation of grassroot oriented programme that will have direct bearing on the lives of FCT residents.
“It’s in line with that avowed commitment that the Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat, which is the arm of the FCT Administration charged with the responsibility of coordinating the implementation of agric development initiatives is organising this programme, as a way of bequeathing FCT farmers with knowledge of new and effective trends in agricultural practices.”
Some of the participants interviewed, lauded the initiative to engage rural stakeholders in the agricultural sector to ensure effective handling and utilisation of organic fertilizers in the Territory.
A farmer from Gwagwa community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Anaku Lewis, who described the capacity building programme aa a good initiative, urged the government to help make organic fertilizers available, as there is not enough quantity sold in the market.
Another participant, who is a farmer in Kwali Area Council, also described the workshop as very perfect, as most of them don’t know anything about organic fertilizers before, but now have seen and gotten educated in its handling.
According to him, “more importantly, they (experts) have taught us how to use it to improve agricultural production, so we want the government to make it available for us to get it.
“I will tell my fellow farmers that there is a new invention that farmers are using, let’s embrace it, in order to improve our farming system”.
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