FCTA to procure farm inputs to promote dry season farming

The Federal Capital Territory Executive Council, has approved a contract for the procurement of agricultural inputs to promote dry season farming in the territory.

Mr Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, disclosed this shortly after the 10th council meeting in Abuja on Monday.

Geidam identified the inputs to be procured as 250 metric tonnes of NPK fertiliser, 300 metric tonnes of urea, 310 knapsack sprayers and 3500 litres of liquid fertiliser among others.

According to him, this is the first time the FCT administration will invest in dry season farming by providing critical inputs to irrigation farmers in the territory.

He said that the move was part of efforts to encourage farmers to move beyond rainfed agricultural practice to dry season farming through irrigation.

“The rainy season has ended, and we want to encourage dry season farming among our farmers.

“This will enable the farmers to engage in agricultural production all-year-round,” Geidam said.

The mandate secretary commended the minister for approving the memo, adding that with such support, irrigation farming would spring up across the FCT.

“The move will significantly help in meeting the food needs of the FCT population,” he said. (NAN)