Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau on Friday inaugurated a Potato Tissue Culture Laboratory in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Speaking at the event, Mutfwang said that the state-of-the-art facility would boost potato value chain in the state.
He described the initiative as a landmark investment that would move Plateau from a producer of raw potatoes into Nigeria’s leading hub for potato processing and value addition.
He said the laboratory, which houses a training centre and a potato processing facility, would revolutionise seed production, boost mechanised farming, improve farmers’ incomes and position Plateau as a major player in Africa’s potato industry.
the governor said that the completion of the project represents the recovery of an initiative that was on the verge of cancellation when his administration assumed duty.
”Today is a story of recovery, repositioning and putting round pegs in round holes. When you get the right people to do the right job, you get the right results,”Mutfwang said.
He explained that the value chain extends beyond cultivation to processing, transportation, packaging and marketing, creating multiple business opportunities and sustainable employment.
“We want to assure all the top businesses in Nigeria that you can buy potatoes from Plateau and they will compete with potatoes anywhere in the world,” the governor added
Mutfwang further disclosed plans to commence local production of potato chips and flakes while introducing value-added potatoes into the state’s school feeding programme.
According to him, the initiative is designed to improve the welfare of citizens rather than merely delivering physical infrastructure.
”Legacy is not about buildings; legacy is about improving the welfare of our people and putting purchasing power in their pockets.
”Our challenge is production. In the next three to five years, the story of potatoes on the Plateau will be different.” he said.
Mutfwang urged farmers in the state to plant improved seeds and embrace cooperative farming and mechanisation, insisting that such a move would eliminate crop diseases, increase productivity and reduce labour-intensive farming practices.
Earlier, Mr Samson Bugama, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, described the move as a “major step” for the ‘Plateau Potato Revolution.’
Bugama noted that the laboratory would serve as the foundation for developing disease-free seeds and indigenous potato varieties capable of competing globally.
He explained that the project had integrated seed production, farmer training and processing facilities into a single value chain designed to fulfil Mutfwang’s vision of making potato the state’s flagship agricultural commodity.
Also speaking, Mr Jerry Gushop, the Project Coordinator, Plateau Potato Value Chain Support Project, commended Mutfwang for reviving a project that had struggled to achieve its objectives since its inception in 2017.
Gushop disclosed that the Mutfwang’s administration had transformed the project into one of the most impactful agricultural initiatives in the state.
He explained that aside from the tissue laboratory, the project had also constructed 118.4 kilometres of rural roads, culverts and nine community markets in the state.
“We have also provided 17 spring capture systems, 22 water harvesting structures to support year-round farming and established potato processing plants in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs.
”Under the project, we distributed 1,000 water pumps, 1,200 bags of quality seed, 270 tonnes of improved seed varieties, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides to farmers in the state.
“We have also trained farmers and other value chain actors on seed multiplication, modern production techniques, processing, packaging and agribusiness management,” he said.
