Plateau State Government onboards stakeholders of host community towards the success of Agricultural Empowerment at BARC Farms

The Plateau State Government has engaged stakeholders of the Pengana Chiefdom, hosts of the State Government’s BARC Farms. This is part of efforts to strengthen strategies put in place to ensure the success of the Plateau State Youth Agricultural Empowerment which is taking off at BARC Farms.

The fora gave members of the host community the opportunity to ask questions about the initiative, its sustainability and security of the farm. They also expressed concerns about certain grey areas, also exploiting areas they can take advantage of.

The Executive Chiarman of  Bassa LGC, Dr Joshua Riti, the Ogomo Pengana HRH Mamman Esua Shayang and others took turns to commend Government for the initiative, and to encourage their subjects to support the initiative.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths Mobilization and Engagement, Hon Joshua Pwajok Hitler and the Focal Person for the initiative Mr Yari Kumchi took turns to explain the vision of the Governor for the farm and the need for the community to key-in. They also took important suggestions on some aspects of the farm.

The government delegation at the event was led by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Developmemt Hon Musa Ibrahim Ashoms. Other members of the delegation at the event include the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon Jonathan Dabo, General Manager Jos Metropolitan Development Board Arch Hart Bankat and Executive Secretary Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Development Agency, Pharm Kim Bot. Others include the Managing Director, Plateau Investment and Property Development Company (PIPC) Limited. Mr Danlami Jelka, General Manager Jos Market Authority, Engr Mangna Wumyil. The host community had village heads, leaders of development associations and youths groups in attendance.

At the end of the engagement, four key resolutions of the meeting were read by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development Hon Musa Ibrahim Ashoms and were adopted by the gathering. These are;

“1. Stakeholders agreed that the youths from the host community should be incorporated into the project.”

“2. That a portion of the farm should be set aside for those who wish to engage in cattle raring.”

“3. That the Security of the community and the farm is important to both government and stakeholders, and is key towards the success of the farm project.”

“4. That a portion of the farm will also be set aside for members of the community who wish to continue farming within BARC Farms.”

Speaking to journalists at BARC Farms, shortly after the stakeholders engagement, the Honorable Commissioner outlined the importance of the engagement to the success of the Youths Agricultural Empowerment Initiative. He also announced that as part of efforts to cut costs, doors, windows and other necessaties from the ongoing rennovation and remodelling of Plateau Hotel have been brought to BARC Farms to transform the place preparatory to the commencement of the 2025 Farming season.

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“For every project to be sustained, there is a need for stakeholders’ engagement. And that is exactly what we’ve done in Zabolo. We brought in the local government chairman, traditional rulers, and community gatekeepers, so they would be fully informed about what the government plans to do in BARC Farms.”

“As you can see, we’re here at Barc Farms. In the interest of cutting the cost of governance—and as you know, the government is currently remodeling Plateau Hotel and Hill Station Hotel—some of the doors and furniture taken from those facilities have been brought here. The aim is to repackage and revamp this place. It looked like an abandoned environment, but the government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, is working to restore it.”

“Items that are no longer needed at Plateau Hotel have been repurposed for use here at BARC Farms, helping us reduce costs. As you know, we are committed to accountability.”

He announced plans to further engage youths and the community on the farm ahead of the commencement of full farming activities.

“Very soon, as part of our preparations to kick-start this farm, we will be engaging with the youth and the community. By May, we hope to begin cultivating the land so our young people can benefit.”

“We have agreed with the community that, even though this is a government-owned property, we will not isolate them. They are the host community, and they will be included in the project. A portion of the land will be allocated to them.”

“Of course, rearing animals is also part of agriculture, and we have agreed that a section of this land will be preserved specifically for animal farmers.”

“We also discussed that the security of this environment, is a very important issue. While security matters cannot be unveiled or discussed openly, I can assure you that the government has put in place all necessary measures to secure this farm.”

‘Furthermore, apart from the youths who will be farming here, some slots will also be allocated to members of the community. At the end of the day, this is a collective effort. We will all farm together as Plateau people.”

“This is a Plateau project. I don’t think anything like this has ever been done before. But under the capable leadership of His Excellency, Barrister Mutfwang, this initiative has come to life. I want the naysayers to know: this project is not going to fail. They should note it—put it in their mental cabinets—that this is a successful project.”

Hon Ashoms stressed the economic benefits of the initiative for the youths and the state at large. “By the end of it, Plateau youth will go home with money in their pockets and in their bank accounts. This project will continue to expand. It’s a litmus test, and when it succeeds, we plan to replicate it in the Central and Southern Zones.”

“We want to encourage our young people to take advantage of this opportunity and extend the knowledge they gain to others so more people can benefit. As you all know, this will be a camp-based program, where participants will come in batches, possibly in their hundreds. By the end, we will have a generation of youth exposed to modern agricultural techniques.”

“By next week, God willing, we’ll be mobilizing young people to come over to Barc Farm to begin farming. And in the next five to six months, we’ll return here to harvest—and to transform the fortunes of our youth. This is a noble project. It’s a project for the people of Plateau. The governor is deeply committed to it because there’s a youth boom on the Plateau. If we don’t channel the energy of our youth in the right direction, things may go wrong—and that’s not what we want.”

“So, we charge our young people: the time is now. The time is now for you to make money. The time is now for you to be exposed to modern agricultural practices. The time is now to change your economic situation. The time is now for Plateau to become greater than it has ever been.”

Ealier, Samuel Bulus Sarrabo, the President of the Buji Development Association, Youth Wing also spoke about the security of the farm and the timing of the planting seasom which are key to the success of the initiative.

“What the government has planned—to see they co-opt youth and  engaging other youths so they are not just loitering in the streets—is a welcome idea.”

“Previously, we had fears concerning security issues at the back farms. But with the breakdown of what the government intends to do there, honestly, I don’t think we will have any hitches.”

“The only concern or challenge we might face—and which I would like to submit to the government—is about timing. In farming activities, timing is key. Once you miss the right time for farming, you can’t just start late and expect a bumper harvest. But if we get the timing right and strike accordingly, honestly, it will be a great success.”

Dakama Sunday Emmauel, the National President, Guz Development Association and Public Relations Officer of PIDAN also had this to say about the initiative.
“…we want to commend this present government for coming to our aid and for our plight because the back farms that we know before was completely off. But this government has come and we notice they have started making some meaningful developments by bringing the roads within the farm and at the same time bringing the station workers who are going to train farmers in that place.”

“And of course, this initiative is going to definitely bring succor to our youths. And at the same time, they will help farmers and the population of Plateau State. Of course, this program will definitely encourage the aspect of food security. This government is definitely going to sustain that because this program will provide an opportunity.”