Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to reposition Plateau State as Nigeria’s leading agricultural hub through sustained investment in food production, infrastructure, and value-chain development.
Governor Mutfwang emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of Plateau’s economy and a primary source of livelihood for the majority of its citizens, noting that revitalizing the sector is central to his government’s blueprint for ensuring food security, creating jobs, and driving inclusive growth across rural communities.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Jeremiah Satmark, the Governor made this known at the 2025 World Food Day celebration held at Crispan Suites and Event Centre, Jos. The event was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development, Veterinary Services, and Fisheries.
“Our vision is guided by the conviction that agriculture is not a side project; it is the foundation of our economy, our food security, and our shared prosperity. We said we would support our farmers, and we have. We said we would build infrastructure, and we are. The time is now for a Plateau that not only feeds itself but feeds the nation,” the Governor stated.
Mutfwang outlined key milestones achieved under his administration, including the registration of over 300,000 farmers, distribution of 18,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, and construction of 331 kilometres of rural roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
He further disclosed that the state had invested ₦185 million in the National Livestock Transformation Site in Wase, which covers 30 hectares of improved pasture and includes solar-powered boreholes. Plateau, he added, has also qualified for the Special Agricultural Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme to further boost agricultural productivity and industrialization.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Samson Ishaku Bugama, described the event as a reaffirmation of Plateau’s unwavering commitment to global food security and sustainable agriculture.
According to him, under the Land Is Green Initiative, the ministry has registered more than 300,000 farmers, distributed 18,120 metric tonnes of fertilizer and 275,486 kilograms of improved seeds, and trained 340 youths in smart agriculture. He also noted that the state has provided ₦3 billion as counterpart funding for RAAMP, which has resulted in 32 new rural roads covering 331 kilometres across the state.
Bugama said the ministry’s integrated approach involves synergy among various agencies, including PADP, Fadama CARES, L-PRES, ASTC, and PLACOM, all working together to support thousands of farmers across Plateau.
“The achievements we celebrate today are not mere statistics. They represent renewed hope for thousands of farming families. They show what is possible when leadership meets vision, when policy meets action, and when government meets the people at their point of need,” he emphasized.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Dauda Bawa, Director of the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of Jos, said sustainable food security on the Plateau depends on strategic partnerships that bridge production, processing, finance, and policy.
He urged the state government to allocate at least 10 percent of its annual budget to agriculture in line with the Malabo Declaration, and to establish a Food Systems Transformation Council to coordinate statewide food security efforts.
“Transforming Plateau’s food system must not be seen merely as an agricultural agenda. It is a movement for prosperity, peace, and sustainability. Together, we can build a more resilient and food-secure future for our communities,” Prof. Bawa noted.
Also speaking, Mr. Doug Edge, representative of the Reproduction Specialty Group from the United States, commended the Plateau State Government for prioritizing innovation and partnership in livestock development. He explained that the group, a member of the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export Inc., supports producers and universities globally through advanced reproductive technologies.
On his part, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry highlighted the vital role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in agricultural transformation, describing them as “the invisible hands turning farm produce into prosperity.”
He added that the ministry has trained MSMEs on nutrition-commodity packaging and access to finance, noting that “by promoting nutrition-sensitive enterprises such as vegetable, soybean, and cereal processing, we are tackling both malnutrition and poverty simultaneously.”
The event featured an exhibition of various crops cultivated across the state, as well as livestock such as poultry, goats, and rabbits, where breeders were encouraged to explore opportunities for expanding production and commercial viability within the state’s growing agribusiness sector.
