The Plateau Government has commenced the distribution of 120,000 bags of assorted fertilizer to farmers to boost dry season farming in the state.
Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, inaugurated the distribution in Jos.
The governor said that the gesture was part of the Covid -19 Action Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme in the state, adding that all farmers in the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state would benefit.
Mutfwang said that agriculture remained the backbone of Plateau economy and major source of livelihood to significant portion of its population.
He said that it was crucial for his administration to continually invest in the agricultural sector to ensure food security, economic growth and tackle poverty.
“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 witness the handing over of 120,000 bags of fertiliser to the Nigeria Government Covid -19 Action Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme in our state.
“Since assumption of office 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 in the implementation of 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 which been the backbone of our economy and source of livelihood for our people.”
The governor thanked NG-CARES for partnering with the state in the initiative, noting that its commitment to supporting Plateau’s agricultural development, transforming the lives of farmers and improving the overall agricultural landscape was commendable.
He said that in addition to the fertiliser, government through NG-CARES had commenced the construction of 25 rural roads linking farms to markets across the 17 LGAs.
“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 will soon commence
”The success of this programme required a holistic approach that encompasses access to quality seeds, effective extension services, mechanisation and market linkages.
“So, we call on stakeholders to continue to work together with the government to address the critical needs in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Earlier, the Head of Technical Department, NG-CARES, Dr Haggai Gutap, thanked the state government for investing in the agricultural sector in the state.
Gutap promised to ensure that the fertiliser got to the real farmers and ensure that it was used for the intended purpose of reducing the impact of food insecurity and boost the agricultural production.
On his part, Mr Ishaku Jallingson, the programme Manager, Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP), urged the beneficiaries to use the fertiliser to boost the yield of their crops and not resell.
He warned that anyone caught selling the fertiliser would be sanctioned by appropriate authorities.
Jallingson lauded the state government for the gesture and described it as the first of its kind in the history of the state.
He added that the move would revive the ailing agricultural sector in the state which had been affected by COVID-19 and myriad of security challenges.
