The Executive Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. (Dr) John Gabaya, has officially launched a large-scale distribution of fertilizers and grains to local farmers in the council.
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman, Agada Ernest Godwin in a statement indicated that the distribution is meant to enhance agricultural productivity and combat food insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
According to the statement, the flag-off ceremony took place on Thursday in Bwari and drew the attendance of various stakeholders and community leaders.
During the event, Hon. (Dr) Gabaya expressed gratitude for the opportunity to support farmers in the region.
He emphasized the importance of utilizing the farm inputs to maximize crop yield, which is critical for improving food security in the nation’s capital.
The Chairman also extended his appreciation to the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, whose agricultural interventions made the distribution possible.
“The free distribution of fertilizers and grains is aimed at reviving unproductive soil for increased yield. This will go a long way in addressing food insecurity,” Gabaya stated, urging beneficiaries to refrain from selling the inputs but instead use them to improve their farm output.
In his remarks, Hon. Dogara Ahmed Yerim, Speaker of the 9th Assembly of Bwari Legislative Arm, commended the Chairman for his continuous efforts in promoting agriculture in Bwari.
He credited the numerous interventions with positioning Bwari as a significant agricultural hub in the FCT.
Mrs. (Dr) Mercy Adeyanju, Acting Director of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources, reflected on the critical role agriculture plays in sustaining the economy. She encouraged the farmers to seize the opportunity to improve their productivity, thanking Hon. (Dr) Gabaya for his contributions to the sector.
Traditional leaders also lent their voices in support of the initiative. The Esu of Bwari, represented by Mr. Timothy Dakoyi, praised the council’s efforts and pledged to ensure that the distribution is properly monitored to prevent misuse. The Sarkin Bwari, represented by Chief Nagimba Jafar, further urged farmers to adopt dry season farming in addition to rainy season cultivation to ensure year-round productivity.
The event saw the distribution of fertilizers to representatives from Kawu, Ushafa, and Byazhin Wards, with hopes that the inputs would help restore the nutrient-depleted soil across the council. Several farmers expressed their gratitude for the support and called for more government interventions to sustain local farming.
Notable attendees included the Council Secretary, Hon. Eli Peter Kadanya, traditional rulers, elected councilors from Bwari’s 10 wards, and other key stakeholders.