Food security: AMAC chairman flags off 2026 farming season, distributes inputs

The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, Thursday, flagged off the 2026 farming season in the council, with the theme “Integrated farming for all”.

Speaking at the event at the event held at Apo Town Hall, Maikalangu said that the flag off is a gentle reminder for all citizens of the council to embrace farming as a lasting solution to end food scarcity in the entire council.

The council boss added that the distribution of items also shows his administration’s commitment to agriculture as a pathway to food security, economic opportunity, employment, wealth creation and sustainable grassroots development.

He called on farmers to embrace modern agricultural practices, protect the environment, work cooperatively and make productive use of every opportunity provided through the programme.

He said: “Today is not merely about launching another farming season. It is about reaffirming our commitment to agriculture as a pathway to food security, economic opportunity, employment, wealth creation and sustainable grassroots development.

“As a Council, we recognise that agriculture is much bigger than planting crops. It is a complete value chain. That is why this year’s programme embraces crop production, livestock production, fisheries, agroforestry, resource recycling and food security.

“Our message is clear: every farmer matters, every community matters, and every productive hand has a role to play.

“We want to encourage our young people to see agriculture not simply as subsistence farming, but as a viable business and an avenue for innovation, enterprise and prosperity. We want our women to have greater opportunities to participate meaningfully across the agricultural value chain.

“We also want our farming communities to have access to the knowledge, support and opportunities required to increase productivity.

“The future we envision is one where a farmer can cultivate crops, integrate livestock, explore fish production, plant trees, recycle agricultural waste and create multiple streams of income from the same agricultural ecosystem..That is the meaning of integrated farming.”

He added: “As the Executive Chairman of AMAC and Chairman of ALGON, FCT Chapter, I believe strongly that grassroots development must touch the lives of ordinary people. Agriculture provides one of the most direct avenues through which government can support families, empower communities and strengthen local economic activity.

“Our responsibility is therefore to create an environment where farmers can produce more, add value to what they produce and have better opportunities to participate in the market.

“I call on our farmers to embrace modern agricultural practices, protect our environment, work cooperatively and make productive use of every opportunity provided through this programme.

“I equally call on our traditional institutions, community leaders, agricultural associations, private investors and development partners to join hands with AMAC. Government cannot do it alone.

“The success of our agricultural transformation requires partnership between government, farmers, communities and the private sector. Let us also remember that food security is a collective responsibility.

“When we produce more food locally, we strengthen our communities and contribute to a more resilient economy. Today, therefore, marks another step in our determination to build an AMAC where agriculture becomes an engine of opportunity, empowerment and sustainable development.

“Our slogan is simple and our ambition is clear: More Farms. More Food. A Brighter Future. Let us cultivate not only the soil, but also hope, prosperity and a better future for our people.”

Furthermore, Maikalangu urged AMAC residents, especially farmers at the event, to vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second tenure and Philip Aduda for FCT Senate, saying they will receive dividends of democracy if they vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said he has access to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and will have the leverage to approach him on issues affecting AMAC residents if they vote for President Tinubu.

Also speaking, the acting Head of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Joseph Kambai, said the officials will monitor the utilisation of the farming input.

On his part, the Chairman of Farmers in AMAC, Emmanuel Danladi, said the farming input will help them in ensuring food security in the FCT, appreciating Maikalangu for the good gesture, even as he urged Maikalangu to look into fixing issues that cause farmer-herder crisis in AMAC.

Many of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the AMAC Chairman, saying the inputs will help them to record good farming season.

Items distributed to the farmers include 375 Knapsack sprayers, 65 cartons of Agrochemicals, 35 irrigation pumping machines, 200 hoes, 100 cutlasses, 50 boots, 120 hand gloves, 30 wheel barrows, 58 cartons of organic fertilizer, 440 chick trays, 447 drinkers, 680
feeders and 10 fish pond trampoline.