The Plateau state government has launched the ‘Plateau Youths Agricultural Empowerment Program’ “PLA-YAEP” aimed at encouraging youth to participate actively in commercial agriculture, thereby enabling sustainable food production and economic independence.
At the engagement event held at the Azi Nyako Youth Center in Jos, it was noted that the empowerment program is expected to accommodate 1,000 young people who will be given a hectre of farm land each at BARC Farms who will be selected through a nonpartisan, nonethnic and non-religious structure.According to government, seedlings, fertilizers, tractors and extension workers will be provided for free. This is in recognition of agriculture as one of the areas of strength for the to the fertile nature of entire state.
Disclosing this, the Honorable Commissioner, Ministry for Youths and Sports Development Musa Ashoms, stressed that government has set aside the one thousand hectares of land, out of the four thousamd hectres at BARC Farms for the youth, adding that one thousand youths are expected to be engaged in mechnaized farming for the improvement of their socio-economic status.He emphasized that government is not only providing the land, seedlings, tractors, fertilizers and extension services, adding that government is providing even transportation from Jos to BARCFarmsand back to Jos.
The Commissioner explained further that accomodation and feeding will also be provided at the farm by government on a daily basis, noting that the farmers will be living within the farm premises with guaranteed security from the agro rangers.He mentioned that the project will enable self sufficiency of the youth and urged them to own the project, saying that, “if government wants any policy to be sustained, the youths must be at the beginning and the end of it” he stressed.
Ashoms encouraged those who will not make this batch of selection not to be discouraged as there are other youth initiatives and programs of government in the pipeline. He informed the gathering that the Ministry in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Leadership Institute will soon carry out a training and skill acquisition exercise for over one thousand youths on the plateau.The Honorable Commissioner announced that the Executive Governor had expressed concern over the condition of the Azi Nyako Youth, and plans were on the way to give the facility a face-lift.
In his welcoming remark and power point presentation, the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment, Hon Joshua Pwajok Hitler said that the initiative is the first of its kind in the history of Plateau State, where the youth will have a farm space at BARC Farms, cultivate, process and benefit from the proceeds.
He told the youths that government had cultivated some hecters in 2024 and the lessons from the last farming season are the points of strength for this farming season.
He said that this is the very first time in history that the youth will be directly involved in an agricultural project, stressing that, hopefully, it will translate to the entire 17 local government areas of the state so as to further boost the economy of the state.
He announced that the 340 youths trained in 2023 will be prioritised, in addition to PYC, Youth Ethnic Nationalities, and youths from displaced communities and persons with disabilities.
Lead Focal Person of the project, Mr Yari Kumchi disclosed that the agricultural empowerment program is borne out of Governor Mutfwang’s desire to engage the youth in gainful ventures that will lead to self sufficiency and economic prosperity.
According to Mr Kumchi, during the campaign season, the governor had promised a youth-driven economy which will take the state to the next level, in accordance with the governor’s priorities.
Also contributing, Chairman, Plateau Youth Council (PYC), Dr. Pana Dapar expressed appreciation to the Honorable Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Development, the Special Adviser on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment and the Executive Governor of Plateau State for carrying the youths along and for making the event a reality.
He expressed delighted that Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has once again demonstrated love for the youth of the state through the number of youths in hi ps cabinet who are driving the policies and programs of his administration.
He called on the youths to make the best of the opportunity in order to reciprocate the confidemce reposed in them by the governor.The youths had the opportunity to ask questions which were responded to immediately. Satisfied by the responses they got, they were convinced about expected of the selection process to be completed.
A minute silence was observed in honor of the victims of the recent attacks in Bokkos LGA which claimed lives.
