By Israel Adamu, Jos
Plateau State University (PLASU) has bolstered its agricultural training and production initiatives with the donation of a tractor from the Plateau State Government. This donation aligns with the government’s vision to enhance agricultural mechanization and foster development in the sector.
Speaking during the handover, Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Shedrack Best, expressed gratitude to Governor Caleb Mutfwang for prioritizing agriculture in the state and supporting the university’s growth. The tractor donation is part of the Governor’s Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape Project (ACReSAL), an initiative aimed at revolutionizing agricultural practices in Plateau State.
Governor Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Samson Bugama, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to mechanizing agriculture. He lamented the current low level of mechanization, noting that only 0.05% of farming in Plateau is mechanized.
“We aim to move away from traditional farming tools like hoes and cutlasses, introducing modern technology to meet the state’s food demands,” Governor Mutfwang stated. He also revealed plans to procure additional tractors, power tillers, and establish state plantations, with a particular focus on engaging youths in agriculture.
The Governor highlighted last year’s cultivation of 6,000 hectares of farmland and announced an ambitious target to expand this to 15,000 hectares in 2024, with vulnerable communities and schools as primary beneficiaries. He emphasized the importance of supporting institutions like PLASU in equipping young people with modern agricultural knowledge and reducing the labor-intensive nature of farming.
A statement issued by Masara Kim, Acting Public Relations Officer of Plateau State University, noted that the institution is one of five beneficiaries of tractors donated through a World Bank initiative. Despite receiving a single unit, the university expressed optimism about its impact.
Professor Best underscored the university’s agricultural potential, citing resources such as a dam, the Agricultural Services and Training Corporation (ASTC), and extensive farmland.
“Our students will be thrilled to see and use this equipment for learning. It will inspire them, especially given our location at the heart of agricultural activity,” he said.
He further highlighted the university’s capacity for agricultural research, land tillage, and animal husbandry. With the Faculty of Agriculture still in its developmental stage, Professor Best expressed confidence in the institution’s ability to contribute significantly to the state’s agricultural goals.
The donation underscores Plateau State University’s role as a key player in driving agricultural transformation, particularly in rural communities.
