FCTA introduces farm produce show market

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, made the disclosure in a statement to mark the United Nations International Rural Women’s Day, on Sunday in Abuja.

Aliyu said the market which would be quarterly, was initiated to encourage rural women farmers across the six Area Councils, to bring their best farm produce to an open place where all and sundry would be encouraged to come and buy off from them.

Aliyu explained that the idea would also help the women have value for their money than farming and allowing the produce to get rotten without being supplied.

“With the seriousness I have seen in the rural women farmers in the FCT, we will start quarterly farm produce display market, where all and sundry will be encouraged to buy off from the farmers.

“This will make them have value for money. Where is the essence of farming, when the produce gets rotten without supply?

“Rural Women deserve all commendations because of their unending efforts to farm, they are gradually taking the centre stage.

“We are also going to look at ways that they can be transporting the food items easily to the market. This is also part of the FCT Administration’s commitment to empowering women to succeed in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda for women.”

Aliyu also promised to ensure that the women are given the opportunity to have access to fertilizer at subsidised rates.

The Minister, however, directed the Director, FCT Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, to work with the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat for the smooth take-off of the market.

Ahmadu, who is also the Country Head, Global Women Development Network (GWDN) Nigeria, said the rural women, especially farmers, deserve support to excel in their farming.

She explained that the group under her watch will continue to provide the enabling environment for the women to gain more from farming.