Plateau State has unveiled a comprehensive plan to revitalise its potato, coffee, and livestock industries as part of a wider economic strategy aimed at boosting agro-based exports through a proposed cargo airport.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, speaking in Jos, described agriculture as the backbone of his administration’s development agenda. He said the state will begin construction of a cargo airport next year to position Plateau as a key hub for agricultural exports.
To transform potato production, the government is partnering with a Dutch seed company and reviving a tissue culture project to replace old, low-yield seed varieties that currently produce only three to four tons per hectare. The target is to achieve the global benchmark of 10 tons per hectare.
On livestock, the state will launch a commercial ranching programme—distinct from RUGA—to replace low-yield cows with dairy breeds capable of producing up to 20 litres of milk daily. The initiative is expected to create jobs for veterinary professionals and livestock attendants. The Jos Abattoir will also be revived within three months to process up to 500 animals daily, while the newly established Plateau Commodities Marketing Company will work to stabilise prices and connect farmers to markets.
With its favourable climate and targeted investments, Plateau aims to build a modern, agriculture-driven economy that empowers smallholder farmers and agripreneurs while expanding the state’s presence in the global agricultural export market.
