Officials of the Plateau State Governent have visited the Pioneer Milling Company/ BARC Farms Zalaki, Bassa LGA of Plateau to thoroughly asses the status and facilities with the view to making the farm fully operational and manned by Plateau Youths. This is part of efforts of the Gov Mutfwang led administration in providing the necessary enablers to make agriculture attractive and empower young people in the state.
Unlike other agricultural initiatives, the Plateau State Government is committed to providing the necessary enabling environment for the youths to thrive in agricultural production, thereby creating wealth, employment, and an improved IGR in the state.
The delegation comprised of an advocacy team for agricultural empowerment of plateau youths led by Mr Yari Kumchi, as well as the team of government officials which include the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths Mobilization and Engagement Hon Joshua Pwajok Hitler, Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government Administration Hon Jonathan Dabo, Director General, Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency, Mr Samuel Dapiya, General Managers of Plateau Express Services and Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) Mr Samuel Gwott and Arch Hart Bankat, as well as the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Development Agency Pharm Kim Bot. Others include Pharm John Chung, Director, Plateau State Liaison Office Abuja, Nurse Ndak Kizito, the State Manager of IMPACT, PYC Chairman Diplomat Panan Gongdeng Dapar and representative of Plateau Indigenous Youths Comrade Isaac Itse among many others.
In company of security agencies, the delegation proceeded for an on-the-spot assessment of the 4,000 hectre farm – the remains of the administrative section, loading bay, processing area etc. The delegation expressed dissatisfaction over the level of vandalism visited on the facilities and installations of the farm before it was reclaimed by the government.
Acknowledging that 600 hecters were given to a Plateau investor for use, the delegation outline the the vision of the Governor of Plateau State Barrister Caleb Mutfwang in using the remaining 3,400 hectres, by exploring the land resources for agricultural production and value chain, which has vast potentials for employment and wealth creation for young people.
Leading the advocacy charge for the youths to key into the Agricultural Empowerment Program Initiative, Mr Yari Kumchi extensively outlined that extension services, tractors, fertilizers and other necessary farm inputs will be made available in order to ensure that the vast farm is maximized. He also announced that up takers for farm products are readily available, hence youths on the Plateau should take advantage of this initiative.
“As it stands now, the assurance we have is that whatever we plant, whatever crop we plant, we will get uptake for it. There are people waiting to take up more. Some of them will even be here with us on the farm. We are going to farm everything that is available to farm. For instance, we are going to have enough tractors right here with us—not that they will come, work, go away, and return later. We will have all the fertilizer we need. We will have all the inputs we need.”
He also spoke about the opportunities for youths on the farm and how they can take advantage of the initiative.
“We don’t want any youth to have an excuse, saying they have nothing to do. The idea is to recreate agriculture in such a way that it will look so attractive—even tempting—to people working in lucrative offices.”
“His Excellency took us to Ibadan, where the Special Agro-Processing Zone is being practicalized. Our other team went to Benin. Benin is the best model. They made a presentation to His Excellency the day before yesterday, and we believe these are the models we want to replicate here. It is working.”
“Fortunately for us, we have a government that is willing to support us with its sweat and blood. Whatever we need is going to be provided.”
Mr Kumchi also spoke about the structure and model that will be adopted in running the farm, while also highlighting the non-partisan, non-ethnic and non-religious criteria for benefiting from the initiative.
“So, here on this farm, what we plan to do is to raise camps here. We are going to stay on the camps, we’ll sleep here, cook for ourselves, handle the tractors ourselves, and look for people who will drive them.”
“The only qualification to be here is determination. It’s not for people who are just doing nothing somewhere and want to come here because there’s nothing else. It’s for people who have made a decision, a commitment, that they want to farm. Nobody is going to pay you anything, but all the inputs will be provided. We will try to supply fruits and food for ourselves. If you stay, your reward will come when we harvest.”
“Whatever we harvest will be sold, and the proceeds will be shared among the owners. We will only deduct the cost of the inputs we used.”
“If you are ready to farm, this place is about 4,000 hectares there is about 3,100 hectares available for us to farm. If, for example, we have 1,000 youths, and you share 3,000 hectares among them, each youth will have about 3 hectares.”
“We are not going to rely on experts from outside. The ultimate aim is to bring BARC Farms back to what it used to be. You’ve heard the stories. There was a time BARC Farms employed 1,400 people directly—direct employment, 1,400 people here on this very land. Why can’t we do it again?”
Members of the delegation respectively took turns to commend the Executive Governor of Plateau State for the initiative and encourage Plateau Youths to take full advantage. They pledged their support for the initiative in different ways which will materialise in coming days.
Appreciating Governor Mutfwang for the initiative, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Mobilization and Engagement Hon Joshua Pwajok Hitler expressed optimism that the initiative will succeed, while also pledging the commitment of Plateau Youths who were represented during the assessment tour by the Plateau Youths Council EXCO and Plateau Indigenous Youths.
“We are committed to giving our best this time, and the youth must recognize the immense potential of this place.”
“We have tagged this initiative the ‘Plateau Youths in Agriculture Empowerment Project’. The goal is to ensure that while gaining knowledge here, you also pass it on. We will be implementing similar projects across various local governments, and you might become the pioneer leaders of agribusiness in your respective areas.”
“Now that His Excellency has provided funding, more support will follow. Who knows? With the different crops we plan to cultivate in various zones, this small farm could produce future millionaires.”
“The government’s presence here is a partnership with the community. Once this place reaches its full potential, development and investment will follow. It is in the best interest of the people.”
Pioneer Milling Company (PMC)/BARC Farms is a vast 4,000 hectres of land owned by the Plateau State Government. Located in Bassa Local Government Area, 30 minutes drive from the heart of Jos, the capital of Plateau State. The farm comprises of hectres of flat land, mountains and a dam which is a ready source of water for the farm. The farm presents both an economic asset and a tourist site for investors, and tourists. The farm is fertile and can grow varieties of crops.
As at the time of filing this report, a technical team comprising on Building & Construction Experts and Geologists were on ground to determine the integrity of structures on ground, the improvements to be made and also availability of water on the proposed farm camp respectively ahead of the full take-off of activities on the farm.
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