FCTA To Support Women In Agriculture
Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Lawan Kolo Geidam, has reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to bolstering the activities of women in agriculture in the Federal Capital Territory.
Geidam gave this assurance during an advocacy visit by a group of rural women farmers, under the auspices of the Agbagyi Yilakukala Women Association, who were led to his office by the Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS), Mr. Bitrus Lawrence Garki.
The Agric Secretary acknowledged the significant role women play in agriculture; reiterating that they will always be accorded priority attention in the Secretariat’s programmes.
He revealed that the Secretariat has a dedicated “Women in Agriculture” desk under the coordination of the Agriculture Development Project (ADP), which has the responsibility of addressing the needs of rural women that are engaged in agriculture.
Geidam stated that the desk will be strengthened to enable them reach women across all agriculture value chains in the Area Councils of the FCT.
His words: “Through the Women in Agriculture Desk which has the database of women farmers, we have been able to provide them with assorted Agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, improved seedlings and Agro-chemicals as well as support from our extension workers.”
The Secretary encouraged the women to register their Association with the Department of Cooperative & Rural Development to enable them benefit from the Secretariat’s support programmes.
Presenting the women to the Agric Secretary, Mr. Bitrus Lawrence Garki highlighted the purpose of the visit which he said was in tandem with the responsibility of the Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS) of providing platforms for rural communities in FCT to enhance their activities.
He assured the women that the Secretariat will address their concerns which he believes will significantly help enhance their production activities, thereby; enabling them earn more income to support their families.
The women in their comments, called for increased government support, acknowledging that rural women in the FCT have been working tirelessly to support their spouses to provide the basic needs of their families.
They further appealed for urgent government intervention in helping them combat the challenge of pest infestation, which is affecting production yields.
