By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Government has officially flagged off the distribution of 500 truckloads of subsidised fertiliser for the 2026 farming season as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and strengthen food security across the state.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang performed the flag-off ceremony on Friday in Jos South Local Government Area, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of farmers and developing the agricultural sector.
Mutfwang described agriculture as the backbone of Plateau State’s economy and urged residents not to be discouraged by prevailing security challenges.
“The fact that we are going to farm is part of our testimony of resilience,” the governor said, assuring farmers that no challenge would prevent Plateau State from sustaining its position as one of the nation’s leading food-producing states.
He disclosed that the state government had already commenced the distribution of improved potato seedlings and would continue to provide essential farm inputs to boost productivity and ensure bumper harvests.
The governor explained that the fertiliser was jointly procured by the state government and the 17 local government councils as a strategic investment in agricultural development.
According to him, the government approved a subsidised price of N20,000 per bag to ensure that genuine farmers have affordable access to the essential farm input.
Mutfwang said the intervention reflected his administration’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy through programmes aimed at increasing productivity, stimulating economic growth and improving household incomes.
He added that the initiative was also designed to cushion the impact of losses suffered by farmers following the decline in food prices last year.
The governor announced that arrangements had been concluded for the government to purchase harvested produce directly from farmers.
He said the measure would protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen, provide a ready market for their produce and guarantee better returns on their investments.
Mutfwang also encouraged community farming and greater collaboration among residents, noting that collective action would improve agricultural productivity while strengthening community security and resilience.
He assured farmers that fertiliser and other agricultural inputs would be made available during both the rainy and dry seasons to support year-round food production.
According to him, sustained access to quality agricultural inputs will boost food production, create jobs across the agricultural value chain, strengthen agro-processing industries and restore prosperity to farming communities throughout the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Samson Bugama, commended Governor Mutfwang for approving the procurement of 500 truckloads of assorted fertilisers for the 2026 farming season.
Bugama said the quantity was more than double what was distributed in previous years and formed part of the government’s deliberate efforts to increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security.
He disclosed that distribution had already commenced through 18 designated centres across the state, using a technology-driven system designed to ensure transparency, accountability and traceability.
According to the commissioner, beneficiaries receive SMS notifications indicating when and where to collect their fertiliser, while the digital system enables the ministry to track every bag from the warehouse to the final beneficiary.
“The governor approved the development of a robust tracking system so that we can account for every bag of fertiliser distributed. We know where each bag goes and who receives it. Our goal is to ensure that every bag reaches genuine farmers and is applied on the farms,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area, Hon. Silas Patrick Dung, thanked Governor Mutfwang for selecting the council area to host the statewide flag-off ceremony.
Dung commended the governor’s commitment to agricultural development and expressed confidence that the 2026 farming season would record unprecedented success for farmers and further strengthen the state’s economy.
Stakeholders at the event described the fertiliser distribution programme as another demonstration of the Mutfwang administration’s commitment to agricultural transformation.
They expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly increase food production, create jobs, improve rural livelihoods and strengthen Plateau State’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading food-producing states.