Tinubu encouraged me to turn Plateau crisis into opportunity – Mutfwang

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu urged him to transform the security and economic challenges confronting the state into opportunities for growth and development.

Mutfwang made the disclosure on Friday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Seed Potato Initiative at the Butura Cattle Ranch, operated by the Animal Science Training Centre, in Bokkos Local Government Area.

He explained that the agricultural project, which will span over 50 hectares, is designed to empower more than 20,000 farmers and position Plateau State as a leading producer of seed potatoes for domestic use and export.

The governor, who comes from a potato-producing community, described the initiative as the realisation of a long-standing vision to fully tap into the state’s vast agricultural potential.

“I want everyone on the Plateau to benefit from the prosperity of Plateau, but anyone who tries to frustrate our prosperity, we will resist,” Mutfwang said.
“The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, told me to turn the crisis in Plateau into profit.”

He highlighted the economic value of potato farming, citing individuals who have built successful livelihoods from the crop, and encouraged farmers to embrace modern farming techniques while working closely with the government.

Speaking on broader agricultural reforms, Mutfwang noted that plans were underway to introduce community ranching as part of efforts to address livestock-related challenges. He said the government was determined to end open grazing on the Plateau within the next three years.

“We are preparing to intervene in the market through the Plateau Commodity Marketing Company so that our farmers will no longer be exploited,” he added, expressing optimism that Plateau would soon begin exporting potatoes.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Samson Bugama, said the Seed Potato Initiative aligned with the state government’s agenda to improve food security, create employment and establish Plateau as a major food-producing hub.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Amalau Samuel Amalau, pledged the council’s full support for the project, assuring that adequate security measures would be put in place to ensure its success.

The event attracted traditional rulers, farmers and senior government officials, all of whom expressed confidence that the initiative would stimulate economic growth and improve livelihoods across the state.