The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the distribution and sale of fertilisers to farmers across the six area councils at a 50 per cent subsidised rate, as part of efforts to combat food insecurity.

Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday in Abuja, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, represented by his chief of staff, Chidi Amadi, said the initiative was a decisive step by the federal government to promote food self-sufficiency.

Mr Wike urged farmers not to resell the fertilisers, emphasising that the true value lay in the harvests it would generate and the livelihoods it would sustain.

“Together, let us commit to food self-sufficiency, improved livelihoods, and a vibrant agricultural future for the FCT and for the nation,” he said.

He added that the fertiliser distribution was deliberately timed to coincide with the farming season to reduce production costs and improve yields.

According to him, to prevent diversion or misuse, the FCTA has set up mechanisms to ensure that inputs reach genuine, certified farmers.

Mr Wike also highlighted ongoing collaborations with international partners, such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), with a focus on capacity building for local farmers.

He encouraged youths to embrace agriculture as a pathway to prosperity, rather than relying solely on white-collar jobs.

Mr Wike called on traditional rulers and local stakeholders to promote agriculture in their communities and help ensure security in rural areas.

The mandate secretary for agriculture and rural development, Abdullahi Ango, disclosed that the secretariat had procured 550 metric tonnes of fertiliser, including NPK, urea, fertiliser gels, and 3,500 knapsack sprayers, all to be sold at subsidised rates.

He said the distribution would be strictly monitored to ensure the items would be used for cultivation by certified farmers.

Meanwhile, the mandate secretary of women affairs, Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, hailed the programme’s gender-inclusive approach, especially its support for women farmers.

She highlighted the MUJE PUJE Project, a resilient food security programme, as a flagship initiative under the Renewed Hope agenda, aimed at empowering women, youth, students, and households through agriculture.

The event was attended by traditional rulers and stakeholders from across the FCT.

(NAN)