Mutfwang distributes 500 truckloads of subsidised fertiliser, targets Plateau Potato value chain

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has flagged off the distribution of 500 truckloads of subsidised fertiliser for the 2026 farming season in there’s state.

Mutfwang describing the intervention as a major step towards boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening the potato value chain and driving agro-industrial development in Plateau State.

The flag-off ceremony, held in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday, July 10, 2026, also featured the distribution of improved potato seedlings and other farm inputs to farmers across the state.

Speaking at the event, Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy, saying the government was investing strategically in every stage of the agricultural value chain to improve food production, create jobs, and increase farmers’ incomes.

He said the improved and disease-resistant potato seedlings would help farmers achieve higher yields while enhancing the quality of produce for local consumption and industrial processing.

To reduce production costs, the governor said the 500 truckloads of fertiliser were jointly procured by the state government and the 17 local government councils and would be sold to verified farmers at a subsidised rate of N20,000 per bag, below the prevailing market price.

Mutfwang said the intervention would benefit thousands of farmers, particularly potato growers, whose productivity depends heavily on access to quality farm inputs.

Beyond input distribution, the governor disclosed that the state government plans to purchase harvested produce directly from farmers, a move aimed at guaranteeing markets, protecting farmers from exploitation by middlemen and ensuring better returns on investment.

Mutfwang also said fertiliser and other farm inputs would be made available during both the rainy and dry seasons to encourage year-round farming and ensure a steady supply of raw materials for agro-processing industries.

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He noted that the strategy would create opportunities across the agricultural value chain, including seed multiplication, cultivation, harvesting, storage, transportation, packaging and processing.

The governor further urged communities to embrace collective farming, saying it would not only improve productivity but also strengthen resilience in the face of security and economic challenges.

“The fact that we are going to farm is part of our testimony of resilience,” he said, adding that his administration remains committed to sustaining Plateau State’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading food-producing states.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Samson Bugama, said this year’s fertiliser distribution is more than double the quantity provided in previous years.

Bugama added that the government has introduced a technology-driven tracking system, including SMS notifications and end-to-end monitoring from warehouses to beneficiaries, to ensure transparency and prevent diversion.

A major feature of the administration’s agricultural agenda is the promotion of Plateau Potato as a distinct brand, with the government seeking to reposition the state’s signature crop through improved seedlings, subsidised inputs, guaranteed off-take arrangements and investment in agro-processing.

Stakeholders at the event described the initiative as a significant step towards transforming potato production into a more profitable enterprise capable of creating jobs, attracting investment, and boosting the state’s economy.