The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday began distributing subsidised fertiliser and farming equipment across the six area councils.

The move is seen as part of Minister Nyesom Wike’s plan to boost agriculture and rural development in the territory.

The flag-off ceremony took place in Abuja. It was described as a major step to tackle food insecurity, reduce the cost of farm inputs, and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Representing the minister, Chief of Staff Chidi Amadi said the initiative aligns with the vision of creating “a prosperous, inclusive, and secure capital city.”

Wike announced that 50 metric tonnes of fertiliser would be given out at 50 per cent subsidised rates.

He warned against diversion and resale of the subsidised inputs.

The minister said strict monitoring would ensure transparency in the distribution.

“This administration remains committed to building a prosperous, inclusive, and secure city.

“Our enhanced security efforts are restoring confidence in our communities and providing a safe environment for agriculture and investment.

“I particularly appeal to our youths to embrace agriculture as a viable pathway to prosperity,” Wike said.

Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Suleiman Ango, said 15,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser and 3,500 knapsack sprayers were procured.

He explained that the farm inputs will be given only to certified farmers, cooperatives, and associations.

“All these products will be made available at highly subsidised rates to ease production costs and enhance productivity.

“Strict monitoring and control measures have been put in place to ensure these inputs do not find their way into the open market,” Ango said.

He linked the initiative to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security.

Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, introduced Muje Puje, a food security project for women, youth, students, and households.

She said, “Investing in women and farming is not merely a gender agenda—it is an expression of national development.”

Benjamins-Laniyi added that the project had revived a 9,000-square-metre farm in Puje.

Traditional rulers from across the FCT were present at the event.

Officials urged them to mobilise rural communities to embrace farming and protect farmlands from insecurity.

The programme is also part of Wike’s wider effort to fight food inflation while boosting his political influence in Abuja.

Since assuming office, Wike has launched projects focused on infrastructure, security, and now, agriculture.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has received a delegation of Chinese investors from the China Overseas Engineering Group Company (COVEC). The investors expressed strong interest in agriculture, energy, and industrial development in Gombe State.

The meeting was held at the Gombe Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. It was attended by officials from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

COVEC announced plans to establish an integrated agricultural park in Gombe. The project will focus on large-scale mechanisation, agro-processing, livestock development, renewable energy, and export-oriented value chains.

The company explained that it will deploy advanced Chinese agricultural technologies and infrastructure models. According to the delegation, the goal is to drive rural transformation and promote sustainable development in Gombe State.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya assured the investors of a favourable investment climate. He stressed that Gombe has investor-friendly policies, natural resources, and a strategic location. “Gombe is a viable destination for investment, particularly in agriculture, commerce and enterprise. We are ready to receive investors and offer all necessary incentives to encourage them,” the Governor stated.

He highlighted projects already in place to support such investments. These include the 1,000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, located near the Dadinkowa Dam with a 40-megawatt hydroelectric power plant.

The Governor also pointed to the Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve and the livestock development zone as opportunities. He said these projects make Gombe a key player in the livestock value chain.

He further mentioned the state’s strong water infrastructure. The Dadinkowa, Balanga, and Cham dams anchor this system. The Balanga Dam alone can irrigate over 11,000 hectares of farmland, which makes it ideal for commercial agriculture.

On solid minerals, Governor Yahaya outlined Gombe’s deposits of limestone, uranium, and other minerals. He said these resources create opportunities for cement manufacturing and mineral processing. “We are fully prepared to partner with serious investors to harness our God-given resources for the benefit of our people and our economy,” he affirmed.

The COVEC delegation leader described the meeting as insightful and strategic. He said it helped the team understand Gombe’s agricultural and industrial potential. He added that a follow-up visit would soon be made to lay the groundwork for large-scale investment.

Also present was Abubakar Yarima, Director of Strategic Services at NIPC. Representing the Executive Secretary, Yarima said projects of this size could attract major foreign direct investment.

He explained that such investments would create thousands of jobs and involve smallholder farmers across the agricultural value chain. “The central location and enabling policies of Gombe make it a natural hub for agro-industrial growth,” Yarima noted.

He encouraged the Gombe State Government to take advantage of the opportunity. According to him, it will help deepen entry into foreign markets, which is part of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s long-term vision for the state.

British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation, in partnership with Cato Foods & Agroallied Global Concepts and the Osun State Government, has launched a new enterprise development initiative to boost cassava production and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the state.

The programme, known as the Enterprise Development for Smallholder Cassava Farmers project, is designed to empower farmers by giving them access to markets, training, and essential agricultural resources.

At the flag-off ceremony held in Osun on Wednesday, it was announced that 100 participating farmers will each cultivate half-hectare plots using improved and biofortified cassava varieties. According to the General Manager of BATNF, Oludare Odusanya, these farmers will be organised into Agri-Business Clusters (ABCs) and cooperatives. This arrangement is intended to streamline access to quality inputs, mechanisation, and financial services.

“This bloc farming model is also expected to enhance their collective marketing power. The core objectives of the initiative are to increase cassava yield and household income by at least 40 per cent and enhance food security,” Odusanya said.

He further explained that the project is designed to establish a more efficient cassava value chain by training farmers in good agronomic practices, climate-smart agriculture, and enterprise management. He added that the adoption of eco-efficient tools such as the AKILIMO cassava tool will strengthen these efforts, ensuring sustainable market integration for farmers.

Highlighting the importance of grassroots empowerment, Odusanya stressed that the interventions are not only for immediate support but also to build long-term resilience and self-sufficiency. “Our interventions are designed not only to provide immediate support but also to foster long-term resilience and self-sufficiency among smallholder farmers,” he said.

He also commended the collaboration with Osun State and other partners, pointing out that collective efforts are vital to sustain and expand such projects.

The initiative’s mission, according to a statement released on Monday, is to shift the mindset of farmers from being producers to becoming agribusiness entrepreneurs.

Pelumi Aribisala, the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Cato Foods & Agroallied Global Concepts, said the programme was created to meet the growing industrial demand for cassava while at the same time strengthening Nigeria’s food system.

BATNF, according to its management, is focused on improving the productivity of smallholder farmers and promoting sustainable practices that can secure their livelihoods.

The flag-off event attracted dignitaries including the Representative of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems in Osun State, Oluwakemi Fadare, the Olupo of Oluponna, Oba Abdul-Rafiu Oyekanmi Mosobalaje Bamigboye II, CEO of Cato Foods, Atinuke Lebile, General Manager of BATNF, Odusanya Oludare, Project Manager of BATNF, Adetola Oniyelu, alongside other industry stakeholders.