Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched the distribution of 550 metric tonnes of assorted fertilisers at 50 per cent subsidised rates to farmers across the six area councils of the territory.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, the minister, represented by his Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, said the initiative is aimed at boosting food production, stabilising prices, and strengthening food security in the FCT.

“This initiative underscores our firm commitment to food security, agricultural revitalisation, and the welfare of our people. As the FAO has emphasised, food insecurity threatens dignity, stability, and peace.

“In view of this, and in alignment with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the FCTA has institutionalised this annual support scheme to ease production costs and enhance yields.

“The timing of this exercise is deliberate – coinciding with the farming season – to ensure that farmers can access inputs when they are most needed,” Wike said.

The fertilisers, which include conventional NPK, granular urea, NPK gel, and urea gel, will be distributed to farmers at half the market price. The minister stressed that mechanisms had been put in place to prevent diversion and ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from the programme.

Acknowledging that the fertilisers alone may not be sufficient, Wike highlighted partnerships with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Leventis Foundation, and the World Bank. He said these collaborations are focused on capacity building, promotion of good agronomic practices, reclamation of degraded lands, and support for livelihoods.

“Together, these interventions are reclaiming degraded lands, supporting livelihoods, and revitalising key agricultural sectors. Let me reaffirm that this administration remains committed to building a prosperous, inclusive, and secure city,” Wike added.

Meanwhile, the Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Ango Abdullahi, expressed gratitude to the minister for his consistent support. He disclosed that, in addition to the fertilisers, 3,500 knapsack sprayers would also be distributed to farmers.

Abdullahi stressed the urgency of strengthening the agricultural sector to meet the growing food needs of Abuja’s expanding population, noting that the Secretariat was fully aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition agriculture in the FCT.