The Secretariat is mandated to ensure sustainable food security through the development and implementation of the necessary framework to harness the vast Agricultural potentials in FCT, with the main objective of accelerating the development of Agriculture and Rural Development to meet the challenges of Employment Generation, Economic Empowerment, Production of Food and Fibre Security in the Territory.
Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat
Ensuring Household Food Security
Geidam Receives House Committee Members on oversight visit to ARDS
Members of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters are presently on an oversight oversight visit to the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS)
2025: A Promising New Year for FCT Agriculture
Compliments of the season to you all
As we step into the New Year, I am filled with hope and optimism for the great possibilities that lie ahead for the Agricultural Sector in the Federal Capital Territory especially as we continue to take bold steps towards transforming the sector into a vibrant engine of economic growth and food security.
Flag-off of the distribution of agricultural inputs, to Community Interest Groups (CIG’s) under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
The event marked a major step in ACReSAL’s mission to enhance environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity in FCT. Leading the historic event in the beautiful and serene Sheda community of Kwali Area Council was Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the Honourable Minister of State, FCT who is also Chairperson of the FCT Project Steering Committee.
ARDS Mandate
Key Areas of Focus
Enhancing Production and Productivity of Agriculture products;
Improving Access to Markets and Value Addition
Creating an Enabling Environment for private sector business activities
Institutional Strengthening in the Sector for good policy and strategy
Welcome to the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat
The Federal Capital Territory occupies an estimated land area of 800,000 hectares, out of which 250,000ha is earmarked for the development of the city centre and infrastructure, 274,000ha is for agriculture development, 270,000ha forestry reserves and 60,000ha is for Natural resources (rivers, hill etc.) respectively. The Master plan of the Federal Capital Territory has provided extensive farming, both under Rainfed and irrigation in accord with the Agroecological situation of the Territory. The abundant farmland is fertile and sustains the production of major crops and livestock in which FCT has a comparative advantage.
The Federal Capital Territory Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat are one of the seven (7) mandates Secretariat created in line with the reforms of the Federal Capital Territory Administration. The Secretariat functions as a State Ministry of Agriculture with a view to providing the necessary policy framework for practical agriculture and rural development of the Federal Capital Territory. Also, it mobilizes and sensitizes the farmers in the Federal Capital Territory in order to stimulate the production of food to ensure food security.
ARDS Mission
ARDS aims to enhance and improve the quality of life for over 50% of the Agriculture dependant population in the Six Area Councils: through Increased productivity, sustainable and quality products coupled with integrated planning.
ARDS Vision
There are people who do not pursue a college education during their early days. For those who do, some of them do not continue with graduate education immediately after completing their first degree. These people have several reasons for not pursuing their studies at that time.
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