Plateau State, under the leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, is making significant efforts to promote peace and agriculture as drivers of the state's economy. The government has designated three crop zones, each covering 4,000 hectares of land, for cultivation. Additionally, the state-owned Agriculture Services Training Centre and Marketing Limited (ASTC) is cultivating 6,000 hectares of land in displaced communities. In order to assist displaced persons and boost food production, Governor Mutfwang has directed an extensive mechanized farming intervention on 6,000 hectares of land. This intervention will focus on maize, potatoes, and rice, and will cover areas in the three designated crop zones. The ASTC, with its fleet of 300 tractors, aims to raise self-sufficient farmers and contribute to the state's food security and economic stability.
These efforts in Plateau State align with the broader initiatives across Nigeria to support agriculture and ensure food security. The Nigerian federal government has recently announced plans to subsidize agricultural inputs by 50% in the upcoming dry season farming. This subsidy program, part of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket project, aims to boost dry season farming and enhance food security in the country. The project, implemented with the support of the African Development Bank, has already registered 250,000 farmers and geo-located farmlands. The government's commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector is further demonstrated by its support for young farmers in Yobe State, where plans are underway to provide farm inputs to 3,560 young farmers.
In addition to Plateau State and Yobe State, the Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has launched a collaboration with communities in the Niger Delta to support rice and cassava farmers. The NDDC aims to provide smallholder rice and cassava farmers with data, financing, farm inputs, mechanization, and extension services to increase their production. This initiative, which is projected to produce thousands of tons of rice and cassava tubers, will contribute to food security both regionally and nationally. The NDDC also aims to leverage the success of this project to drive investments in agricultural infrastructure.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has also emphasized the importance of self-reliance in food production amid economic challenges. He called on Nigerians to embrace self-reliance and highlighted the need for greater investment in education and health. Buhari's call comes as the bill seeking to ban open grazing and establish ranches for herders in the country has passed a second reading at the Senate. Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has also advocated for a shift towards ranching as a more sustainable and profitable alternative to open grazing.
Journalists covering Plateau State warn of an impending food crisis if the current state of insecurity in the state is not checked. Chairman of the correspondents' chapel, Polycarp Auta, raised the alarm at a youth summit organized by the correspondents in conjunction with the Plateau state joint task force on security, Operation Safe Haven in Jos. The summit's theme was 'Promoting Inter-ethnic and Inter-Religious Dialogue: Towards Ensuring Food Security In Plateau State.' The chairman emphasized the need for dialogue as the best option for solving the crisis in the state. The summit aimed to bring young people of different tribes and religions from troubled communities together to find ways toward peaceful coexistence. The journalists also highlighted the looming food insecurity in the country and the desire to develop a collective approach to allow farmers to cultivate enough food to feed the state and the nation. The guest speaker, Rev Fr. Stephen Akpe, provided a grim picture of the security situation in the state since 2010, stating that over 12,300 people have been killed in the crisis in the local government areas of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos South, Mangu, and Riyom. He stressed the importance of peace and the need for everyone to go to the farm to feed. The summit had thousands of youths from Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos South, and Mangu in attendance.
Farmers and herders in Kankara Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State have also embraced dialogue to promote peace in their communities. The dialogue, organized by Mercy Corps, IOM, and CDD and funded by the EU, aimed at promoting agricultural activities. The leaders of the farmers and herders in Kankara and Ketare Districts of the LGA expressed that the agreement is for the interest of their communities and for national development. The leader of the herders, Malam Idris Imam, stated that the dialogue has significantly reduced the incidence of conflicts between herders and farmers by 70%. The leader of farmers, Mr Abdullahi Gundawa, described the dialogue as a good initiative that brought farmers and herders together towards ensuring peace. The Community Response Network (CRN) was established to enlighten and educate people on the importance of peace and unity in the development of their communities. LGA officials, women, youths, persons with disabilities, and traditional, community, and religious leaders also participated in the meeting.
Governors of the southern region of Nigeria are planning to embark on an intensive agriculture and food security scheme to tackle food shortage and high prices. They propose setting up a Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA) to foster trade, economic prosperity, and development. The governors emphasize the need for the south to engage in aggressive agricultural production and not rely on the north for food supply. They suggest establishing agro-processing zones and promoting inter-zonal trade to strengthen the region's economy. Dapo Abiodun has been announced as the new chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum.
Youths in Plateau State, Nigeria, have taken part in ongoing protests against police brutality and the call for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The protests have been largely peaceful, with the youths expressing their grievances and demanding change. They presented a charter of demands to the state government, calling for justice for victims of police brutality, compensation for victims, and the prosecution of police officers involved. The youths also called for the establishment of an independent body to investigate and prosecute cases of police misconduct. The Plateau State government has promised to address the demands of the protesters and ensure justice is served. These protests are part of a larger nationwide movement against police brutality in Nigeria.
[The Nation Newspaper]