FCTA Hosts Farm Produce Display Market for Abuja Women
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched a farm produce display market for farmers in the territory's rural areas.
Dr Ramatu Aliyu, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, announced in a statement on International Rural Women's Day on Sunday in Abuja.
Ms Aliyu explained that the quarterly market was started to inspire rural women farmers from all six Area Councils to bring their finest farm produce to a public venue where anyone could buy it.
She added that the approach would be more beneficial to the women than producing and letting the produce spoil due to a lack of distribution.
“With the seriousness I have seen in the rural women farmers in the FCT, we will start a quarterly farm produce display market, where all and sundry will be encouraged to buy off from the farmers," Ms Aliyu said. “Rural Women deserve all commendations because of their unending efforts to farm, they are gradually taking the centre stage."
Ms Aliyu has further pledged to facilitate women's access to fertiliser at discounted rates.
However, to ensure a trouble-free launch of the market, the minister has tasked Dr Jumai Ahmadu, Director of FCT Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, with collaborating with the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat.
Ms Ahmadu, who also serves as the Country Head of the Global Women's Development Network (GWDN) in Nigeria, has stated that rural women, particularly farmers, should be encouraged to pursue professional growth and development.