By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
In a bold step to tackle unemployment and revive agriculture as a viable economic path, the Plateau State Government has deployed 1,000 young men and women to BARC Farms under the first phase of its Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme (PYAEP).
The initiative, launched over the weekend, aims to transform selected youths from job seekers into agri-entrepreneurs by providing access to one hectare of farmland each, along with government-supplied inputs such as seedlings, fertilizers, herbicides, and mechanized tools.
Out of more than 10,000 applicants across the 17 local government areas, the first 1,000 were selected through what officials described as an open, merit-based process.
Speaking during the orientation ceremony held at Government College Jos, Lead Focal Person of the project, Mr. Yari Kumchi, said the programme is a deliberate move to reposition agriculture as a career of first choice.
“We want young people to see agriculture not as a fallback, but as a future — one that’s profitable, respected, and full of potential,” Kumchi stated. “The goal is simple: cultivate maize, rice, and soybeans across 1,000 hectares, and demonstrate that farming can build lives and sustain communities.”
Also addressing participants, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Musa Ibrahim Ashom, who represented Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, reaffirmed the government’s focus on youth-centered policies.
“The governor has made it clear: the youth are the centerpiece of his administration. You are at the beginning, the middle, and the end of everything we do,” Ashom said.
He further announced a strategic move to link agricultural output with global markets, revealing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Plateau State Government and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to upgrade the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang into an international cargo terminal.
“With this upgrade, the produce you cultivate here at BARC Farms will find buyers not only in Nigeria, but across borders,” the Commissioner added. “Off-takers are already lined up to buy your maize, rice, and soybeans.”
Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Mobilization and Engagement, Hon. Hitler Joshua Pwajok, emphasized that the initiative is not a one-off event, but part of a long-term plan to scale agricultural youth empowerment across the state.
“This is just the beginning,” Pwajok said. “We plan to expand this to Central and Southern Plateau in the coming phases. At the end of each farming cycle, government will recover only the cost of production, and the rest of the profit will become capital for participants to start independent ventures in their communities.”
According to him, the programme targets between 15,000 to 20,000 youths before the end of Governor Mutfwang’s administration. He also highlighted the inclusiveness of the recruitment process.
“Every applicant had a fair chance. We selected youths from all local governments, regardless of indigene status. Selection was based purely on merit,” he noted.
Programme Manager of the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP), Mr. Ishaku Jilensam, disclosed that strong community engagement preceded the launch to ensure smooth implementation.
“We consulted youth, women, traditional leaders, farmers, and herders. Already, more than 1,000 hectares have been cultivated — with over 500 hectares planted with maize, rice, and soybeans,” Jilensam said.
He added that security, lighting, and space for local business activities have been integrated to enhance sustainability.
Officials expressed optimism that with continued commitment and expansion, Plateau State could become a model for youth-driven agricultural enterprise in Nigeria.
