In a significant move to revolutionize its agricultural backbone, the Plateau State Government, under Governor Caleb Mutfwang, has officially launched a 50-hectare Irish potato seedlings multiplication farm in Butura community, Bokkos Local Government Area. This initiative marks a pivotal shift from traditional subsistence farming to a technology-driven, high-yield agricultural model for the state’s iconic crop.
Governor Mufwang, speaking at the inauguration, framed the project as a critical intervention to solve a fundamental constraint for local farmers: access to high-quality, disease-free planting material. “I cultivated potatoes in my younger days, and I thought that was all to it,” Mufwang recounted, highlighting his personal connection to the crop. “Until I began to read, to interact and travel the world, I discovered that we have been scratching the surface. We have not yet started in the area of potato production.”
The core of the initiative lies in its potential to dramatically increase productivity. The governor outlined a stark contrast: where local farmers currently yield approximately 100 bags per hectare using traditional seeds and methods, the new imported, certified disease-free seedlings—coupled with modern agronomic practices—are projected to produce up to 400 bags per hectare. This 300% increase in yield is not merely a statistic; it represents a potential transformation in farmer income, food security, and the state’s economic output.
Beyond the Farm: A Comprehensive Value-Chain Strategy
The seedlings multiplication farm is just one component of a broader agricultural vision. Governor Mufwang connected it to the nearing completion of a potato tissue culture laboratory, a project begun four years ago and slated for completion in February 2026. This lab is crucial for sustainability, as it will allow for the local, sterile production of elite seedling varieties, reducing long-term dependence on imports and ensuring a continuous supply of clean planting material.
Furthermore, the governor’s vision extends to post-harvest value addition. He predicted that within two years, the increased and standardized production would attract investment from processors, leading to factories being established in Plateau. “Nigerians would start trooping into Plateau to set up factories for the processing of potatoes,” he stated, pointing to a future where Plateau potatoes are not just sold in sacks at local markets but processed into chips, flour, starch, and frozen products.
Farmer Empowerment and a Call to Adaptation
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Samson Bugama, noted the initiative is poised to directly empower 20,000 potato farmers in the state. However, Governor Mufwang emphasized that this empowerment requires partnership and a willingness to adapt. “Those who will be ready to travel with us on this journey must be willing to learn new methods; it won’t be business as usual,” he cautioned. The administration promises regular training for farmers on advanced planting techniques and mixed cropping systems to optimize land use and boost overall farm resilience and yields.
This initiative positions Plateau State to reclaim and exceed its historic potential as a national leader in potato production. By addressing the seed system bottleneck, investing in research infrastructure (the tissue lab), and envisioning an integrated value chain, the Mufwang administration is laying a foundation not just for a seasonal harvest, but for a durable agricultural transformation that could serve as a model for other crop sectors across Nigeria. The success of this 50-hectare multiplication farm could indeed, as the governor asserted, change the story of Plateau.
Edited by Yakubu Uba
