Jos South Council Boss, Hon. Dachung Choji Says Agriculture Can Tackle Hunger & Poverty as Plateau Flags Off Sales of Subsidized Fertilizers, Others

The Management Committee Chairman of Jos South Local Government Council, Hon. Dachung Choji has said his administration is committed to tackle hunger and poverty crisis through greater attention to the agriculture Sector, especially sustainable farming.

Hon. Dachung Choji said Jos South LGA is endowed with rich agricultural potentials which when harnessed can address hunger and poverty.

He lauded Gov. Lalong for according priority to agriculture which he said is a strategic way of diversifying the economic and reducing the nation’s overdependence on oil. He said agriculture if properly harnessed can sustain the Nation.

Hon. Choji described Jos South Local Government as the Industrial and Administrative Haven of the State.
While appreciating the Executive Governor of Plateau State for choosing Jos South LGA as the flag-off venue, the Council Boss said the epoch making event marks water shed in the annals of history in the locality.
“agriculture has remained the largest sector of the Nigerian economy which contributes about 40% to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with crops accounting for 80%, livestock 13%, forestry 3% and fishery 4%. Jos South Local Government is no exception and it goes to show that this sector alone generates employment for about 70% percent of our population.”
“It is in the light of the significant contribution this sector plays in the lives of our people and the economy, that we in Jos South placed agriculture in the front burner of our intervention. Emphasis is placed on the procurement and sale of fertilizer and other farm inputs at a highly subsidised rate.” He said.
He said the flag-off symbolises the genuine intention of the Rescue Mission phase II under Gov. Lalong able leadership to put smile on the faces of the people. He said people of Jos South are poised towards dovetailing our programmes most especially in agriculture into the state and national plans of action on agriculture to better the wellbeing of the people.
He said the outbreak of the dreaded pandemic caused by the corona virus popularly known as COVID-19, has substantially affected the socio-economic growth and development of our people and wish to place on record that they are not deterred, rather are poised to move ahead to face the reality of the times. Social distancing and other hygienic protocols are strictly observed and they are determined to sustain the effort in this regard.

Hon. Dachung appreciated Gov. Lalong for his exemplary leadership and kind consideration of the citizens of the locality in his regime. While thanking the Governor for considering some of the sons and daughters of Jos South LGA worthy to serve in this administration, he said they look forward to more opportunities to serve the State.

Hon. Dachung Choji made these disclosures today Thursday 28th May, 2020 during the flag-off of Sales of Subsidized Fertilizers & other for the 2020 Farming season at the Ministry of Agriculture Fertilizer Store Jos South LGA.

In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Plateau State who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden said the occasion was vital considering the role agriculture has and is still playing to the development of the State being an agrarian State with vast agricultural potentials.
Gov. Lalong said the present administration has engaged an international consulting firm to develop a 5-year strategic development plan as a guide to its next level priority. He said the consulting firm while submitting its report outlined that Plateau State has comparative advantage in agriculture, tourism and solid minerals.

He said the State working with the African Development Bank has developed the Potato Tissue Culture Laboratory in Mangu LGA to facilitate the production of high quality potato species that will enable the State produce more potatoes in 8 additional Local Government Areas that were thought not suitable for the crop.

He posited that the gesture will enhance food sufficiency and export capacity of the State as well as improve yield significantly.

Gov. Lalong said the government will improve security to farmers to ensure any threat to their agricultural activities are curtailed as well as make frantic efforts to support large scale and mechanized farming across the State.

Gov. Lalong said the 50kg NPK 20:10:10 Fertilizer will be sold at a subsidized price if N5,000/bag, 50kg of Urea will sell for N6,000/Bag and gave subsidized prices of other farm inputs.

He said government will not tolerate diversion, re-sale and adulteration of the products.

Plateau State Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Hosea Istifanus Finangwai said government is committed to making the State an agricultural hub of the Nation. He said the commitment of government will increase productivity and address poverty.

The Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of Plateau State Joint Traditional Council, HRM Da (Dr) Jacob Gyang Buba, CON appreciated government for the efforts aimed at revamping the agriculture sector.
He charged government to urgently call herdsmen to order over indiscriminate grazing while farming activities are going on. He said farmers are going through hell with the unpleasant disposition and activities of herdsmen across the State.

Speaking also at the event, the Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Plateau State Chapter and the Executive Chairman Mikang LGC, Hon. Ezekiel Velgap lauded Gov. Lalong for taking agriculture seriously and subsidizing farm inputs for the farmers.
He said all Local Government Chairmen will partner with the State Govt to provide farm inputs for farmers and ensure that the products reach the people.

Dagwom Rwey Jos South HRH Da (Dr) Ngah Dangyang, Rt. Hon. Ayuba Abok Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Dan Manjang Commissioner of Information & Communication, Hon. Dung Gyang Musa Commissioner of Science & Technology, Members of Jos South LG Management Committee, Top Management Officials of the Council, other traditional Rulers, Political Stalwarts in the Area, youth and women were in attendance at the event which held at Central Store Jos South LGA.

Beneficiaries of the gesture who could not hide their joy commended the government and said they will put in their best to increase productivity.

The Gbong Gwom Jos, HRM Da Jacob Gyang Buba, CON performed the presentation of the portrait of the Executive Governor from the Jos South Local Government Council.

The farm inputs subsidized and sold were fertilizers, high grade/improved seeds (maize, rice & cotton) and growth booster.