‘120,000 FCT farmers benefiting from GES’

What is the mandate of your secretariat?The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat is basically charged with the responsibility of initiating and implementing programmes that will enhance the growth and viability of the agric sector in the FCT; by encouraging food production through the provision of modern farming equipment, as well as the provision of standard […]

What is the mandate of your secretariat?
The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat is basically charged with the responsibility of initiating and implementing programmes that will enhance the growth and viability of the agric sector in the FCT; by encouraging food production through the provision of modern farming equipment, as well as the provision of standard agro services to farmers, as well as implanting the national agricultural programmes which are aimed at transforming the sector towards achieving food security.
How would you say you have been able to achieve these objectives?
I am proud to say that we have steadily progressed in the right direction. Under the able leadership of the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, as well as the Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, we have implemented programmes that have helped reposition agriculture into a more vibrant sector in the FCT, in line with Mr. President’s Transformation Agenda. Some of these achievements include the establishment of a 10 hectares fish farm Estate in Bwari. The land has been demarcated and allocated to interested farmers. It is our projection that when completed, the estate will provide employment to about 2,000 beneficiaries.
The secretariat is also at the forefront of the implementation of the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES), an initiative of the federal government to provide farmers with essential farm inputs. We have been able to register over 120,000 farmers in the FCT and are regularly provided with agro allied inputs such as hybrid seedlings, fertilisers as well as assorted chemicals. The Secretariat is at the verge of establishing an ultra-modern abattoir at Tungan Maje, Gwagwalada Area Council under a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The abattoir, when operational, will operate on the best practices model.
How will you describe the implementation initiative of the 2014 out-grower scheme in the area councils this year?
The farmers are really excited. The out-grower scheme is an input-adoption scheme whereby farmers were given seeds and agro-chemicals in order to encourage the production of hybrid seeds. Most of the beneficiaries have through this scheme increased their holdings from one hectare three years ago to six or seven hectares and this has translated to increased food production in the FCT.
No fewer than 300 farmers benefited from the scheme in 2014. They were given 30 metric tonnes of rice and 20 metric tonnes of maize as well as other assorted farm inputs were distributed to the farmers.
Going by this success, what are your plans for the coming years?
Moving forward we intend to ensure that more small-scale family farmers are carried along. What this means is that more jobs will be created, food production will increase which will reduce hunger and poverty. We are equally looking at giving the farmers greater access to market for their products. Under the buffer stock programme, we will continue to buy from the farmers. Our agric extension services will be enhanced through the ADP to ensure that not only do the farmers get access to competent professional technical assistance but also address the issue of fertilisers as well as tractors.