Twenty seven rice production groups under the FCT Fadama III Project (Additional Financing) have received clearance for fund disbursement, according to an official.
Dr Musa Aliyu, the Acting Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), made this known in Gwagwalada at the opening ceremony of a pre-disbursement training programme.
The programme was organised by the FCT Fadama III Additional Financing Coordination Office for Irrigated Rice Farmers’ Groups.
The acting secretary, represented by Mr Musa Doma, the Acting Director, FCT Agricultural Development Project (ADP), said that Fogbe and Kuka communities had been selected to pilot dry season rice farming in the FCT.
According to him, an estimated 90 hectares of Fadama land will be cultivated under the pilot phase.
“It is gratifying to note that the 27 business plans prepared by 27 rice production groups across the FCT have received clearance for disbursement from the National Fadama Coordination Office.
“It is in view of this achievement that we are organising this pre-disbursement training exercise.
“To us, it is an important and historic milestone in the implementation of Fadama III Additional Financing in FCT, especially in rice production.”
Aliyu said that the continuation of sensitisation and mobilisation of potential groups had led to preparation of 164 business plans by various production groups across the value chain crops.
The acting secretary urged the participants to put in their best to sustain the achievements recorded by Fadama III project in terms of food security in the FCT.
“As you continue the implementation of your business plans, ensure that all resources at your disposal are put to the best use to ensure a lucrative enterprise,” he said.
In his remark, Alhaji Abdullahi Salisu, the FCT Fadama III Project Coordinator, said the training was designed to ensure the adoption of best practices in the rice value chain.
He said that the World Bank-assisted Fadama III Additional Financing was community-driven and structured to move farmers’ subsistence to commercial production. (NAN)