Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang stated that President Bola Tinubu advised him to turn the state’s security and economic issues into chances for growth and development.
Mutfwang made the announcement on Friday during the Seed Potato Initiative’s groundbreaking ceremony at the Butura Cattle Ranch, which is run by the Animal Science Training Centre in the state’s Bokkos Local Government Area.
According to the governor, the agricultural initiative, which will cover over 50 hectares, is projected to empower over 20,000 farmers and establish Plateau as a significant producer of seed potatoes for both domestic and export markets.
Mutfwang, who is from the potato-producing area, said the initiative represented the start of a long-held goal to fully realize the state’s agricultural potential.
“I want everybody that is on the Plateau to prosper from the prosperity of the Plateau, but anybody that will frustrate our prosperity, we will fight.
“The President (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) has said to me to turn the crisis in Plateau into profit,” he said.
He emphasized the potential of potato production, citing examples of people who have benefited from the crop, and urged farmers to use contemporary technologies and work with the government.
He stated, “So even in Bokkos, I want you to know that you are blessed. We are going to come back and talk about livestock. About livestock, we are going to start talking seriously about community ranching so that in another three years, there will be no cows that are roaming around on the plateau.
“Those who want to join us. Be ready to join us. Not only will we prosper in potato production, but also the days when people who did not labor with us will come and exploit our sweat are also coming to an end.
“We are preparing for that, and by the Grace of God, we will intervene in the market through the Plateau Commodity Marketing Company in such a way that nobody will cheat our farmers. I look forward to the day that we will begin to export potatoes from Plateau State.”
The Seed Potato Initiative aligns with the government’s plan to increase food security, create jobs, and make Plateau a leading food-producing state, according to the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Samson Bugama.
The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Amalau Samuel Amalau, pledged the council’s support for the project and promised adequate security to ensure its success.
