By Daniel Tyokua
The mandate Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (FCT-ARDS), mallam Abubakar Ibrahim has said the secretariat is committed to areas that would strengthen agriculture programmes across the territory.
He stated this during the visit by participants of Course 44, 2022 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru – Platea state, who were on a study tour of FCT.
Ibrahim explained that the secretariat was making progress in the Implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Project (SAPZ) that is being sponsored by the Africa Development Bank (AfDB).
According to him, 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 which is 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 infrastructure development of the host community.
Ibrahim said the administration was also adopting innovative strategies that will help unveil the abundant potential 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 Master plan.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Director Information, agric Secretariat Mallam Zakari Aliyu, said FCT has been burdened by challenges occasioned by the increasing influx of people into the territory.
This, the mandate Secretary stressed that with the huge expectations, the Agriculture sector provides the best viable option for them to earn sustainable source of livelihood.
According to the statement, “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.
“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”
