FCTA Begins Policy Formulation To Enhance Food Security

Towards improving the agricultural sector, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, ARDS, has begun work on a policy document to enhance food security .

This marks the beginning of a series of consultations and collaborations aimed at shaping a robust and inclusive agricultural future for the FCT.

The acting Director Planning, Research and Statistics, FCT ARDS, Umar Malamiyo said the policy would empower farmers with the requiste knowledge to grow all crops in large quantity.

Malamiyo represented by the Deputy Director in Charge of Public Private Partnership under the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics, FCT ARDS, Agu Igwe, noted that the maiden policy, expected to be finalized within six months, would offer lasting solutions to the numerous challenges facing the agriculture sector in the FCT.

According to Malamiyo, most farmers in the territory lack the basic knowledge on irrigation activities and growing of some crops with a view to having surplus agricultural produce in the nation’s capital.

“Since inception of FCTA, there has never been a specific policy to achieve our aim in ensuring food security in the practice of agriculture.”

“The exercise will bring about a policy direction in line with the major objective of food security which will boost food production.”

The lead speaker, Professor Oyinkan Tasie, corroborated that the document would deepen the knowledge of farmers in promoting best agricultural activities.

“We are working with FCT Administration to develop an agriculture policy which is the first of its kind since the creation of FCT, through this the FCT will be able to articulate it’s vision in the area of agriculture, it will address hunger and food security” Tasie said.

Contributing, Agriculture officer for FCT Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes, Mr Kayode Sani, said with the influx of people into the territory, serious measures must be taken in promoting food security across the six Area Councils.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Blessing Nyor