Farming will Drive Plateau’s Recovery from Decades of Insecurity —Gov Mutfwang

News in brief:

-Plateau State is prioritising agriculture alongside security, investing in irrigation, livestock breeding, rural roads, and modern markets to boost food production and farmer incomes.

-The government is also training youths in modern farming and agribusiness, while strengthening community security to ensure farmers can work without fear.

For years, Plateau State has carried the scars of violent attacks that displaced communities, destroyed livelihoods, and left thousands dead. Now, Governor Caleb Mutfwang says the State is turning back to its strongest foundation, agriculture as a pathway to peace, food security, and economic renewal.

Decades of Violence and the Search for Lasting Solutions

A state-appointed Fact-Finding Committee recently revealed that over 420 communities have been attacked in Plateau within two decades, with nearly 12,000 people killed. According to Committee Chairman Major General Rogers Nicholas (rtd.), the attacks were “coordinated, deliberate, and devastating.”

Armed groups often take advantage of porous borders with Nasarawa, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Taraba to raid villages, retreating unchallenged. Governor Mutfwang vowed that no one will be above the law, stressing that “only the truth can set people free.” He has pledged to forward the report to President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to push for long-term solutions.

Agriculture at the Heart of Plateau’s Recovery

Beyond security, the governor insists that rebuilding Plateau depends on reviving its farming heritage. “Agriculture is the backbone of our prosperity agenda,” he told the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

From potatoes and maize to vegetables and flowers, Plateau’s fertile land and temperate climate give it a natural advantage. The administration is partnering with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and reviving BARC Farms to boost crop and livestock production. Plans include:

• Introducing improved livestock breeds and feed production.
• Building a modern abattoir to strengthen meat processing.
• Expanding irrigation schemes to ensure year-round farming despite erratic rainfall linked to climate change.

Security Measures to Protect Farmers

Recognising that farmers cannot thrive without safety, the government has recruited 1,000 youths into Operation Rainbow, a community-based security outfit designed to provide early warnings and quick responses in rural areas.

The Fact-Finding Committee also warned of bandit cells around border zones and extremist groups in Wase and Kanam, making farmer security a non-negotiable priority for the state.

Roads, Markets, and Storage: Building the Farm-to-Market Link

Agricultural development in Nigeria often fails because farmers cannot access markets. To solve this, Plateau is investing heavily in infrastructure:

• Rehabilitation of rural roads across all 17 local government areas, including 380 kilometres under the World Bank-supported RAMP project.
• Lobbying for completion of the Jos-Bauchi-Gombe federal highway, vital for transporting farm produce.
• Construction of a modern central market in Jos
• Upgrades to storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses that often swallow farmers’ profits.

“These efforts will link farmers directly to buyers, reduce middlemen exploitation, and guarantee better prices,” Mutfwang explained.

Preparing the Next Generation of Farmers

To make agriculture attractive to youths, the government has cut tuition fees for Plateau indigenes by half, tripled scholarship funding, and retooled technical colleges to teach modern agribusiness, irrigation, and animal husbandry.

“Our young people must see agriculture as profitable, not as drudgery,” the governor said, underscoring the need for future agri-entrepreneurs to sustain food security in Nigeria.