The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has issued a warning to farmers in the council’s 12 wards, cautioning them against selling the farming inputs provided to them by his administration.
He emphasized that those who engage in such actions will be blacklisted and denied future empowerment opportunities.
Maikalangu delivered this message during the flag-off ceremony of the 2023 farming season and the presentation of farming inputs to farmers across the 12 wards of the council, which took place in Abuja on Saturday. The distribution of these items demonstrates the administration’s commitment to promoting the social and economic growth of the beneficiaries.
During his speech, Maikalangu highlighted the significance of the event, stating, “The formal flag-off ceremony to herald the 2023 farming season in Abuja Municipal Area Council is indeed very significant to me, given the place of farming and agriculture in the life of the people of AMAC. This event is an annual ritual organized to celebrate and empower farmers while also educating them on new and improved farming practices.”
He further emphasized the council’s policy direction aimed at enhancing the capacity of farmers and acknowledged the immense support provided by the annual distribution of free fertilizers in the agricultural sector.
The chairman announced the provision of various farming and household items for the farming season, including fertilizers, agrochemicals, wheelbarrows, knapsack sprayers, smoking kilns, hoes, cutlasses, rain boots, and hand gloves.
He emphasized that these resources should not be diverted but instead reach the farmers to improve crop yield, increase income, and enhance their livelihoods.
Maikalangu also stressed the importance of agriculture as a solution to social vices and encouraged youth to engage in agricultural activities to combat idleness.
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He reiterated the commitment to fostering a harmonious relationship between farmers and herdsmen, emphasizing that they should not perceive each other as enemies.
The chairman acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers in accessing land due to urban renewal programs in the FCT, which have hindered agricultural growth. He called for the urgent establishment of integrated demonstration farms in the council to boost agricultural production.
In conclusion, Maikalangu urged the beneficiaries to view the provided items as a means of empowerment and cautioned against selling them.
He assured that the inputs would also be distributed to farmers in inaccessible areas in the coming weeks, promising that as many farmers as possible would benefit from the program.
The Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture, Hon. Saleh Zakari Biu, emphasized that the distribution of farming inputs aimed to ensure food security in the FCT.
He warned beneficiaries not to sell the items and assured them that traditional rulers and security agencies would closely monitor their usage to prevent diversion or unauthorized sale.
The event received appreciation from farmers who commended the chairman for his generosity. Various farming items were distributed, including hoes, farming boots, cutlasses, leather gloves, grinding machines, smoking kilns, fertilizers, pesticides, and two motorcycles for extension workers.
Over 500 farmers in AMAC benefited from the distribution of farming inputs, marking the second such distribution since the chairman assumed office.
