Respite as Mahmoud flags off disbursement of CBN’s fertiliser to FCT farmers

Stories By Stanley Onyekwere

There is sigh of relief for farmers in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following the commencement of disbursement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approximately 900 metric tonnes of 30 trucks of assorted fertilizers.
It was gathered that the CBN donated the assorted fertilizers through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMA&FS) to the FCT Administration for distribution to farmers in the nation’s capital.
Flagging off the distribution yesterday, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, noted that the initiative was manifestation of the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic response with a view to addressing the global challenge of food shortages.
Mahmoud while acknowledging the challenges faced by the populace regarding the high cost of food items, expressed the commitment of the Administration to proactively implement measures to address the situation.
“As you may recall, within the past two months, we have undertaken several initiatives to enhance food production. In collaboration with the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank, we achieved a significant milestone by providing farmers with a comprehensive range of agricultural inputs.
“Building on this success, we also successfully distributed the palliatives approved by Mr. President, bringing much-needed relief and succor to the residents of the FCT,” she stated.
She, however, assured that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat has fully adhered to the distribution guidelines outlined by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which includes the setting up of a broad-based Ad-hoc committee to strategize and come up with distribution plans that would ensure the fertilizers reach the intended beneficiaries.
The minister thanked partners for their support in training of Agricultural Extension Agents and farmers, stressing that the administration is committed to sustaining this synergy and continuing the efforts to empower agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.
She also used the occasion to call on FCT residents, particularly the youth population, to take advantage of the vast arable land that the FCT is blessed with and venture into agriculture, no matter how small.
Similarly, the Mandate Secretary Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Hon. Lawan Kolo Geidam, noted that the CBN’s donation was apt and timely response to mitigate the adverse impact of the current global food crisis, exacerbated by climate change, low production, and high prices on Nigerians.
Geidam added that the intervention was also an unequivocal reaffirmation of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to his Renewed Hope Agenda, part of which prioritizes agricultural revitalization by empowering farmers with essential inputs.
According to him, “we are optimistic that the substantial quantity of fertilizers generously provided will yield a remarkable outcome, culminating in a bumper harvest this year, thereby enhancing food availability, improved nutrition, economic growth, and overall well-being of FCT residents.”
Earlier in her welcome remark, the Permanent Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Grace Adayilo, noted that the importance of agriculture in human livelihood cannot be overstated, as it serves as a vital source of food and economic prosperity for communities.
Adayilo assured that the fertilizers would be distributed to genuine farmers saying, “I want to assure you that the people you see here today, are farmers that have been certified by the committee as genuine farmers who have been in their different ways, adding value to the food production systems in the FCT.”
She further assured that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat would continue to implement measures to enhance the capacities of the extension agents across the 62 wards of the FCT.
On his part, Chairman, FCT chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ifraimu Dauda, while praising the administration, he urged it to continue to deal directly with it rather than some social media elements masquerading as farmers.
Dauda also appealed for such intervention to be made early, in order to boost agricultural produce in the FCT.