One hundred and four farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have benefited from N14. 9 billion disbursed by the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) of the FCT, the Secretary of the Secretariat Alhaji Bala Batsari has said.

He said this Tuesday at a one day workshop organised by the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) in collaboration with the Secretariat for the FCT farmers in Gwagwalada.

He was represented by Mr. Mike Uwazie. He said the workshop will help in sensitizing and strengthening the farmers in the city. The workshop was attended by fishermen, tailors, wood/hand craft, pottery making, cassava processing and cooperative groups.

The Secretary said: "There is no doubt that the FCT administration is determined to turn agriculture into a viable and profitable business for the inhabitants of the territory.

"I want to assure you that provision has been made in the 2010 budget for ARDS to adequately fund programnmes especially those projects that will enhance productive capacity of the farmers thereby ensuring food security of the FCT."

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of AEA Ms. Altine Jibrin said at the workshop that the agency has disbursed about N14 million to over nine groups and cooperatives across the six area councils of the FCT.