In a significant move to strengthen Plateau State’s agricultural sector and combat poverty, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has inaugurated 20 tractors for farming communities and distributed $250,000 to ten communities.
Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the governor in a statement said the initiative, executed in partnership with the World Bank through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, reflects the administration’s vision for food security and rural empowerment.
At the commissioning ceremony held at the New Government House, Rayfield, Jos, Governor Mutfwang emphasised that the tractors would enhance farming activities, ensuring food security and economic growth across the state.
He disclosed plans to procure an additional 200 tractors under the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme to bolster agricultural production further.
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As part of the event, the governor presented a $250,000 Community Revolving Fund (CRF) to ten communities, with each receiving $25,000.
The initiative, supported by the World Bank, is designed to empower rural communities financially.
Beneficiary communities include Guratop, Kerang, Zamko, Ampang West, Dinting, Jimin, Kaler, Plateau Club/Bingham, Pishe, Yashi, and Wereh. The funds are to be repaid after a specified period, creating a sustainable cycle of empowerment for other communities.
Governor Mutfwang encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the funds effectively, stating, “This initiative is a revolving opportunity aimed at fostering community development. By God’s grace, none of these projects will fail. We are committed to ensuring that the funds and equipment uplift our people.”
He further reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to alleviate poverty, saying, “Our priority is to ensure that these investments translate into tangible benefits, improving the living standards of our people and reducing poverty.”
He urged citizens to support government initiatives and discouraged divisive tendencies that hinder progress.
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The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, congratulated the communities and highlighted the initiative’s role in addressing the effects of climate change on agriculture.
“Desertification and climate change are major threats to livelihoods in Plateau State. Through ACReSAL, we aim to help communities adapt to these challenges while improving their well-being,” he said.
Diop also commended Governor Mutfwang for his commitment to the project’s success.
Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Gabriel Dewan, ACReSAL Task Team Leader Joy Iganya Agene, and Plateau State ACReSAL Coordinator Garba Gowon Gonkol, lauded Governor Mutfwang for fostering partnerships that deliver direct benefits to the people.
