AMAC Flags Off Free Farm Inputs Distribution to Boost Food Security in FCT

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has flagged off the distribution of free fertilisers, seedlings, and other essential farm inputs to farmers for the 2026 farming season, in a major grassroots intervention designed to tackle food scarcity and strengthen agricultural productivity across the Federal Capital Territory.

The Chairman of AMAC, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, performed the flag-off ceremony at the Apo Town Hall, where he told a gathering of farmers and community leaders that the initiative was aimed at encouraging residents to embrace agriculture as a sustainable means of addressing food scarcity in the council. He said the programme demonstrated his administration's unwavering commitment to agriculture as a driver of food security, employment, wealth creation, and grassroots development.

According to Maikalangu, the intervention was carefully designed to cover the entire agricultural value chain, including crop production, livestock, fisheries, agroforestry, resource recycling, and food security. He stressed that a holistic approach was necessary to unlock the full potential of the agricultural sector and ensure that no segment of the farming community was left behind.

The AMAC chairman urged farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices, protect the environment, work cooperatively, and make productive use of the inputs provided. He noted that the distribution of farm inputs was not an end in itself but a catalyst for broader transformation, adding that farmers must complement the council's support with hard work, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable practices.

Maikalangu also used the occasion to encourage young people to see agriculture as a viable business and an avenue for innovation and prosperity, rather than a last resort for those unable to secure white-collar jobs. He called for greater participation of women across the agricultural value chain, noting that women were often the backbone of rural economies and deserved equal access to resources, training, and opportunities. He said farming communities needed access to the knowledge, support, and opportunities required to improve productivity and lift themselves out of poverty.

The items distributed to the farmers included knapsack sprayers, seedlings, agrochemicals, irrigation pumping machines, 200 hoes, 100 cutlasses, boots, hand gloves, and wheelbarrows. The choice of inputs reflected a deliberate focus on both crop production and the practical tools needed to enhance efficiency and reduce the drudgery associated with manual farming.

The Acting Head of Agriculture and Natural Resources in AMAC, Joseph Kambai, said council officials would monitor the use of the farm inputs to ensure they served their intended purpose. He warned against the diversion or sale of the items, stressing that the council would take decisive action against anyone found undermining the programme. His assurance of oversight was a clear signal that the administration was determined to ensure accountability and maximise the impact of its investment in agriculture.

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. He noted that farmers in the area had long struggled with the high cost of fertilisers and other inputs, which had made it difficult for many to cultivate their land profitably. Danladi said the distribution would provide much-needed relief and enable farmers to expand their operations and increase their yields.

However, Danladi also urged Maikalangu to address the factors contributing to farmer-herder conflicts in the area. He said insecurity remained a major obstacle to agricultural productivity, as many farmers were afraid to go to their farms for fear of attacks. He called on the council to work with security agencies and community leaders to find lasting solutions to the crisis, warning that without peace, the gains of the input distribution programme would be undermined.

The AMAC intervention comes amid growing concerns over food inflation and food scarcity in Nigeria, with millions of households struggling to afford basic food items. The Federal Government has repeatedly emphasised the need to boost local food production as a means of reducing dependence on imports and stabilising prices. At the sub-national level, councils like AMAC are increasingly being called upon to play a more active role in agricultural development, given their proximity to rural communities and their mandate to promote grassroots development.

By distributing free farm inputs, AMAC is not only providing immediate relief to farmers but also sending a powerful message that agriculture remains a priority. For the farmers of Apo and surrounding communities, the intervention represents a lifeline that could make the difference between a bountiful harvest and another season of struggle. As the 2026 farming season gets underway, the success of this programme will be measured not just in the number of inputs distributed but in the improvements in yield, income, and food security that follow.