The Plateau State Government has commenced the distribution of 120,000 bags of assorted fertilizers it procured for farmers across the 17 Local Government Areas in the state for dry season farming.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang who performed the official flag-off, Monday at the Nigeria Air Force Base, Jos, said agriculture is the backbone of the economy which remains the major source of livelihood to a significant portion of the population.
Represented by his Deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, the governor said it was therefore crucial that his administration continue to invest in the sector to ensure food security, economic growth, and poverty alleviation in the state.
“It is with great pleasure and a sense of accomplishment that we gather here to mark a significant event in the history of agricultural development in Plateau State. We have come together to celebrate the handing over of 120,000 bags of fertilizers to the Nigeria Government Covid -19 Action Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme in Plateau State.
“Since assumption of office as a government, we interacted with all the donor-funded projects in the state; and discovered that the NG-CARES programme has the potential of transforming our local economy and hence we declared a state of emergency on the implementation of the NG-CARES programme in the state.
“I stand before you, filled with immense pride as we witness the fruition of our collective efforts in supporting our farmers and bolstering our agricultural sector. Agriculture has always been the backbone of our economy, providing sustenance and livelihood for a significant portion of our population.
Mutfwang thanked NG-CARES for partnering with the state for the important initiative, stating that their commitment to supporting Plateau State’s agricultural development, transforming the lives of farmers, and improving the overall agricultural landscape was commendable.
He said that in addition to the fertiliser distribution, the construction of twenty-five (25) access roads from farms to markets across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, renovation of educational and health facilities, water projects, social transfers to the poorest of the poor, grants to Nano, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the state would also commence.
He stressed that the success of the programme required a holistic approach that encompasses access to quality seeds, effective extension services, mechanisation, and market linkages, calling on stakeholders to continue to work together with the government to address the critical needs of the agricultural sector.
Earlier, the Head of Technical Department, NG-CARES Dr. Haggai Gutap, appreciated the state government for investing in the agricultural sector in the state, promising to ensure that fertiliser get to the farmers and ensure that it is used for what it was intended for to reduce the impact of food insecurity and boost the agricultural production in the state which would, in turn, affect the economy positively.
The programme Manager, Plateau Agricultural Development Programme, PADP, Mr Ishaku Jallingson, urged the farmers to use the fertiliser to boost the yield of their crops and not resell them.
Jallingson lauded the state government for the remarkable gesture, describing it as the first of its kind ever recorded in the history of the state. He added that the move would revive the agricultural sector in the state which has been affected by COVID-19 and insecurity.
