Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau state Governor, Barr Caleb Mutfwang has commissioned this mechanized farming intervention to address the severe disruption in farming activities caused by recent attacks.
The have not only led to the destruction of farms but also instilled fear among farmers, exacerbating food shortages and driving up the prices of farm produce.
The official flag-off was Monday in Mangu Local Government Area of the State by Hon. Samson Ishaku Bugama, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
According to him, the initiative, facilitated through the Agricultural Service and Training Center and Marketing Limited (ASTC) under the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to cultivate 6,000 hectares of farmland across the state’s three senatorial districts.
While assuring the readiness of both ASTC’s staff and equipment,which he said ,today marks the beginning of a comprehensive engagement in the field, adding that, the strategy is to provide mechanization services to displaced communities and help them return to their livelihoodsi
According to him, the intervention includes the provision of seeds to ensure bumper harvests and focuses primarily on displaced communities, however, the scope may extend to other areas as resources allow.
He reafirmed that,their major goal is to resettle displaced communities back into their farming activities,and ensure the safety of farmlands, the initiative will utilize agro-rangers and local self-help groups for early warning signals.
Mr. Bugama further assured that the government would implement a monitoring system, including the use of drones, to protect the investment and prevent incursions into the farms.
The Commisioner stated that on the high prices of food items, according to him, the initiative would help to increase food production in the state’s major food-producing belts.
He said, Governor Mutfwang is deeply concerned about the hunger problem, and this intervention is a deliberate effort to boost food production and to reduce prices, for the communities, while the services and seeds are provided free of charge.
