The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has trained 1,200 farmers and some of its officers on the effective handling and use of organic and synthetic fertilisers.
The trainees, drawn from across the six area councils of the FCT, were drilled on the proper use and importance of organic fertilisers.
The acting Secretary of FCT Agricultural and Rural Development, Ibe Prospect Chukwuemeka, while declaring the workshop open, described the training programme as apt as it was happening when the rains had started.
He said the farmers would be guided on the effective measures of addressing soil fertility and crop failure through the use of synthetic fertilisers.
Chukwuemeka noted that the issue of capacity building, especially for extension agents and field officers had been a priority for the secretariat, because they were closest to the rural farmers who due to lack of knowledge of efficient farming techniques suffered great losses.
He explained that it was pertinent to note that the use of organic fertilisers (granular and liquid) was a new innovation that was practiced globally as it helped to promote rapid nutrient absorption by plants, and also improved soil fertility and plant growth thereby leading to bumper harvest.
While calling on FCT farmers to embrace the new approach, the agric boss assured them that the FCT Administration would not relent in its effort to finding lasting solutions to the problem of crop failure experienced by farmers.
