Laraba MUREY
The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu, has raised alarm that farmlands in the area council have been taken over by developers.
Maikalangu blamed the urban renewal policy of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, for the challenges which have greatly affected the growth of agriculture in the council.
The AMAC chairman disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja, during the flag-off ceremony of the 2023 farming season and presentation of farming inputs to 500 farmers across the 12 wards of the council.
He said presentation of the farming and household items is in demonstration of the administration’s commitment to promote social and economic growth of the beneficiaries.
The AMAC boss also appealed to the FCT Administration to hasten the integrated demonstration farm land in the council.
“Due to the urban renewal policy program of the FCT, most of our farm lands have been taken over by developers. Our farmers can no longer access farm lands for their subsistence farming and other agricultural purposes. This has greatly affected the growth of agriculture in the council, which is one of the viable economic empowerment of our people.
“In the light of the above, I am humbly making a passionate appeal to FCTA of our expedient need for integrated demonstration farm land in the Council, this will help boost agricultural production in AMAC.
“Our administration places greater premium on agriculture, the oldest profession in the world. We shall give more commitment to it just as we aspire to provide social amenities and rural infrastructure to our rural communities.
“This year’s farming season, we are providing 600 bags of fertilizers, agro chemicals, 20 wheel barrows, nap sack sprayers, smoking kiln, hoes, cutlasses, rain boots and hand gloves to be distributed free to farmers in Abuja Municipal Area Council.
“We have also provided 2 Bajaj Motorcycle for Agriculture Extension workers. These fertilizers and other farm implements must not be diverted. It should get to the farmers to enhance improve crop yield and increase income and potential livelihood for our people.
“Agriculture is a panacea to social vices, therefore we should encourage our youth to engage themselves in agriculture activities because Idleness is very dangerous,” he said.
On his part, the Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture, Hon. Saleh Zakari Biu, said the inputs will be closely monitored by traditional rulers and security agencies to avoid the items being diverted or sold.
“For the benefit of doubt, the items will be closely monitored by traditional rulers and security agencies to ensure they are not diverted or sold.
“The items are not for sale. Anyone who sells it will be picked up and prosecuted. The two motorcycles are for extension workers to monitor the farmers and to guide them appropriately so that they can improve,” Biu said.