The chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has launched the distribution of free farm inputs to farmers in the area. The programme, which kicked off at Apo Town Hall, aims to encourage residents to take up agriculture as a sustainable solution to food scarcity in the council. Maikalangu stated that the initiative demonstrates his administration's commitment to agriculture as a driver of food security, employment, and wealth creation.
The programme covers the entire agricultural value chain, including crop production, livestock, fisheries, agroforestry, resource recycling, and food security. Maikalangu urged farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices, protect the environment, work cooperatively, and make productive use of the inputs provided. He also encouraged young people to view agriculture as a viable business and an avenue for innovation and prosperity.
Maikalangu called for greater participation of women across the agricultural value chain, emphasising that farming communities need access to knowledge, support, and opportunities to improve productivity. The Acting Head of Agriculture and Natural Resources in AMAC, Joseph Kambai, assured that council officials would monitor the use of the farm inputs to ensure they serve their intended purpose.
The chairman of farmers in AMAC, Emmanuel Danladi, commended the council for the intervention, saying the inputs would support efforts to improve food security in the FCT. However, he urged Maikalangu to address factors contributing to farmer-herder conflicts in the area. The distributed items include knapsack sprayers, seedlings, agrochemicals, irrigation pumping machines, 200 hoes, 100 cutlasses, boots, hand gloves, and wheelbarrows.
The distribution of farm inputs is part of AMAC's efforts to promote agriculture and address food scarcity in the area. The programme is expected to benefit farmers and contribute to food security in the FCT. The council's initiative has been welcomed by farmers, who see it as a positive step towards improving their livelihoods.
The AMAC chairman's emphasis on modern agricultural practices and environmental protection reflects the council's commitment to sustainable agriculture. The programme's focus on the agricultural value chain is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and contribute to the country's food security goals.
The distribution of farm inputs is a significant intervention in the agricultural sector, and its impact will be closely monitored. The programme's success will depend on the effective use of the inputs and the council's continued support for farmers in the area. Key initiatives like this can help address food scarcity and promote sustainable agriculture in Nigeria.
Key points
- The programme aims to encourage residents to take up agriculture as a sustainable solution to food scarcity in the council.
- The distribution of farm inputs covers the entire agricultural value chain, including crop production, livestock, and fisheries.
- The programme's success will depend on the effective use of the inputs and the council's continued support for farmers in the area.
