Adopt Communal Farming, Move in Groups to Stem Attacks, Muftwang Counsels Plateau Farmers
In a bid to ensure the safety of farmers and boost agricultural production, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has appealed to farmers in the state to adopt communal farming, urging them to move in groups rather than singly, especially during this farming season.
The governor made the appeal during the just-concluded annual Nzem Berom festival held at the Polo Ground in Jos.
He emphasized the importance of collective farming, stating that it is time for the people of Plateau to practice the concept of “gaya,” which translates to communal or collective effort.
“This farming season, I urge our farmers – do not go to the farm alone. It is time for communal farming. This is the time we must practise the concept of gaya. We must move together. Let nobody go alone. While some are bending down, others should be watching the environment,” Governor Mutfwang said.
The governor’s appeal comes on the heels of recent attacks on residents in parts of the state, particularly in the Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas by suspected gunmen. The attacks have raised concerns about the safety of farmers and the need for collective efforts to prevent such incidents.
Governor Mutfwang also announced that the state government has made provisions for seedlings and other agricultural inputs to support farmers.
He expressed his determination to make Plateau State the food basket of Nigeria, stressing that the state has the potential to become a major agricultural hub in the country.
In a move to rebrand the state’s agricultural products, the governor announced that Irish potatoes, which are widely cultivated in the state, would henceforth be known as Plateau potatoes.
“Let me remind you that we no longer farm Irish potatoes on the Plateau. From henceforth, what we farm is Plateau potatoes. Let nobody call it Irish again. It is now Plateau potatoes. That is what the world will know it to be,” he stated.
The governor also addressed the issue of illegal mining in the state, which has been a major concern in recent times. He stated that steps were being taken to ensure that mining activities in the state align with environmental and security standards.
He emphasized that the people of Plateau should not continue to die in mining pits only to earn peanuts.
Governor Mutfwang’s statement on mining is seen as a move to regulate the sector and prevent the loss of lives and environmental degradation. The state government has been working to formalize the mining sector and ensure that mining activities are carried out in a safe and responsible manner.
The governor also used the occasion to encourage the Berom people to remain united, stressing their importance in maintaining the stability of the state. “Let me say this and say it clearly: the day Berom land becomes divided, the Plateau is lost,” he said.
The Nzem Berom festival, which is an annual event, brings together the Berom people from all over the state to celebrate their culture and traditions. The event provides a platform for the people to come together, discuss issues affecting their community, and showcase their rich cultural heritage.
