By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has raised a committee to strengthen dry season farming across the territory.
This is contained in a statement issued by Zakari Aliyu, Deputy Director Information, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) at the weekend.
It said composition of the inter -departmental committee by the mandate Secretary, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, followed an outcome of the management meeting, where the need for farmers to be encouraged was reechoed.
The statement explained that with the rising cost of food items and growing population, farming during the dry season would help not only bolster food production but make the prices more affordable for residents.
”The objective of setting up this Committee is to look into ways that we can support more farmers engage in all year farming, not only during the dry season.
According to the statement, the team will need to conduct a geographic assessment of the FCT in order to recommend support strategies through improvement of the irrigation systems”
Abubakar disclosed that the FCT Administration has approved the procurement of some critical farm inputs such as Agro-chemicals as well as water pumping machines which will be sold to FCT farmers at 50% subsidized rates.
“Our plan is to distribute some of the inputs we have procured during this dry season in February while we prepare for a major support for farmers on time before the commencement of rain in March.” Abubakar said.
The Committee, he noted will be supported by the expertise of Agricultural engineers to ensure that the intervention of the Secretariat will meet required standards for durability and effective utilization.
He charged the Committee to explore partnership with investors to support to initiative.
The Committee which is chaired by the Secretary, consists of membership from the technical departments of the Secretariat.
