The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to Distribute $4.5 Million World Bank Grant to 12,283 Farmers and Enhance 17 Wet Markets as part of its commitment to the World Bank-supported Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (FCT CARES) program. The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to disburse $4.5 million to 12,283 farmers and upgrade 17 Wet Markets under the Fadama program.
Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the FCT Minister of State, revealed this during the grant disbursement ceremony in Gwagwalada on Thursday, where the third batch of 3,707 beneficiaries received funding. The total beneficiaries from the first and second batches reached 7,940, out of the allocated $15 million for the FCTA under the FCT CARES initiative.
Mahmoud highlighted that the grant would be utilized for the upcoming 2023/2024 dry season farming and other income-generating activities. Various items, including fertilizers, improved seeds, agro-chemicals, sprayers, personal protective equipment, day-old chicks, feeds for poultry farmers, juvenile and feeds for fish farmers, goats for livestock farmers, and grinding machines for women processors, were distributed during the event.
The minister emphasized the significance of the grant disbursement in achieving President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, especially in the agricultural sector. She mentioned that the Fadama program was specifically designed to support the recovery of livelihood activities for poor and vulnerable households engaged in agricultural value chains in the FCT, with a focus on women and unemployed youths.
Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, revealed that other delivery platforms implementing different result areas of the FCT CARES program have also commenced grant disbursement. The implementing agencies include the FCT Cash Transfer Unit, FCT Community and Social Development Project, and Abuja Enterprise Agency.
Mr. Lawal Geidam, Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, assured that the secretariat would provide support for the successful implementation of the FCT CARES Result Area 2.
