News in brief: Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Nigeria, has ordered the immediate cultivation of 900 hectares of farmland in 3 Local Government Areas to address the food crisis caused by attacks and farm destruction. It is working with the Agricultural Services and Training Center (ASTC) to execute the project and encourage displaced farmers to return to their fields.
In a bid to tackle lingering food crisis in Nigeriaâs Plateau State, the governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has ordered immediate cultivation of 900 hectares of farmlands across 3 Local Government Areas, news reports claim.
The action aims to ameliorate hardship on communities affected by attacks and farm destruction. Dr. Susan Bentu, the Managing Director of the Agricultural Services and Training Center (ASTC), made the announcement during a media chat on Sunday, officially launching the scheme.
She disclosed that ASTC acting as major partner of the government in the scheme and it will focus on cultivating land in the areas that were affected by bandits’ attacks. The state’s intervention efforts would extend to four communities in Riyom LGA, one community in Barkin Ladi LGA, and 14 others in Mangu LGA, she added in her statement.
Mutfwang is working towards providing much needed support to the affected communities by helping them rebuild their lives and regain hope for a better future.
Bentu claimed that numerous farmers fleeing from their lands as a result of the attacks is the key reason for the government intervention. Thus, it will be providing adequate security to the areas affected to forestall further attacks. She assured the public of the governmentâs full support in ensuring effective security and therefore urged displaced farmers to return to their fields.
Representatives of local governments and security personnels were among those who lauded the initiative. They also promised their full support towards its success.
Attacks by suspected Fulani militia on about 30 communities in Mangu LGA have increased since May 2023, resulting in 100 people dying and displacing more than 10,000.
