By Daniel Tyokua
The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced training of farmers across the six area councils on 2023 seasonal climate change.
Speaking at the downscaling of 2023 seasonal climate prediction in partnership with the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) yesterday, Mandate Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim said the initiative would yield the desired results as finding shows increased in agricultural production and adaptability of farmers to the changes.
Ibrahim noted that ARDS has ensured that all FCTA relevant agencies particularly the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) are carried along in the sensitisation campaigns.
He said: “Through our Zonal Agric officers, Area Council Authorities and our Extension Agents the Secretariat have stepped down the information to our farmers to guide them on when to start and stop planting, expected amount of rainfall as well as the duration of the rains.
“All of these are vital information that will help to increase the adaptive capacity of farmers to weather changes, thereby enabling them to avert harsh conditions that may have adverse effect on crop and animal production.
Reiterating the determination of the Secretariat to ensure the success of the exercise, the Secretary said it has concluded arrangements to embark on an aggressive sensitization campaign to the 6 Area Councils and the farming communities in all the 62 wards of the FCT.
He added that the Secretariat has tried to ensure that the information is simplified and translated in the major local languages such that they are clearly understood by the farmers.
“It is gladdening to see that the event has attracted a large turnout which gives us hope that the information will reach the targeted farmers as expected.
“I will like to appreciate the NiMet management for their support and assure farmers that the FCT leadership under the Honourable Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello and the Honorable Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, will leave no stone unturned in their effort to end hunger. Within the next few days, the Administration will be rolling out its input support to FCT farmers.
“We will continue to work hard to strengthen the capacities of our Extension Agents to deliver quality services to FCT farmers. Our doors will remain open for partnership with genuine Agro-allied investors towards repositioning the Agricultural sector of the FCT”, he said.
Earlier, in her welcome address delivered by the ARDS’s director, Mrs. Fransisca Ihekandu, noted that the programme will help farmers to have disaster-free farming activities throughout the year.
Ihekandu said in ensuring that the downscaling is stepped down to all the 6 Area Councils of the FCT, the Secretariat has already trained and mobilized all the Extension Agents that will be deployed for the exercise.
On his part, Acting General Manager with NiMet, Mr. Oyegade Adeleke, noted that the climate information, which is available for every part of the country will ensure that people don’t make mistakes in farming activity.
He adds: “Climate will always change, but people must always build resilience, by accessing appropriate information on climate related issues”.
