Abaji council chair flags -off distribution of fertilizer, agro -chemicals to farmers
By Sadiq Abubakar, Abuja
The Chairman of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Hon Abubakar Umar Abdullahi has flagged -off the distribution of fertilizer and agro -chemicals to rural farmers across the council.
Speaking during the official flag -off exercise at the council secretariat on Thursday, Abdullahi, represented by the Speaker of the legislative arm of the council, Hon Abdullahi Baba Yahaya, said the gesture was aimed at supporting the hardworking rural farmers in the area.
He said agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy and the primary source of livelihood for many rural farmers across the council.
“As an administration, we recognize that food security, economic prosperity, and sustainable development can only be achieved when our farmers are adequately supported with fertilizer and other farm inputs,”he said.
He said the distribution is part of his administration unwavering commitment to improving agricultural productivity and enhancing the welfare of the rural farmers.
According to him, providing such fertilizer and other essential farm inputs, which he said was aimed at reducing the burden of production costs and encourage increased cultivation during the farming season.
He, however, advised beneficiaries to ensure they make proper and judicious use of the fertilizers and agrochemicals distributed to them for the purpose it was meant for.
“And you should that these items are not meant for sale. They have been provided by Abaji Area Council to improve your farm yields and increase food production within our communities,”he said.
He, therefore, warned that anyone who diverts or sells the inputs has clearly defeated the purpose of the intervention and deprives the people of the benefits intended by Council.
He urged beneficiary to apply these inputs on their farms so that there will be a bumper harvest this year farming season, saying such a harvest will not only ensure the families have sufficient food to eat but will also improve household incomes, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the economy of the Council.
Abdullahi, noted that the Council is blessed with vast fertile and arable land and also encourage the farmers, especially the youths and women, to take full advantage of the abundant agricultural resources.
“Let us cultivate more land, increase production, and contribute meaningfully to the food security of our Area Council, the FCT and Nigeria as a whole'”he added.
The chairman, therefore, assured residents of the council that his administration will continue to prioritize agriculture and also seek partnerships by mobilizing resources to provide improved seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, farm equipment, training, and other forms of support that will empower the farmers and improve agricultural productivity.
He also used the occasion and assured residents of the council that his administration is engaging with top management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the prolonged power outage is fully restored across the council.
“I am fully aware of the inconveniences this situation has caused to residents and businesses. And I want to assure you that the Area Council is actively engaging with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that electricity is restored as quickly as possible,”he said.
