Plateau moves to become Nigeria’s potato processing hub

The State Governor, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, disclosed this at the commissioning of the Potato Value Chain Project, a state-of-the-art Tissue Culture Laboratory, and the distribution of modern agricultural equipment in Mangu Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Mutfwang said the commissioned project, which includes a training centre and a potato processing facility, is expected to transform seed production, boost mechanised farming, improve farmers’ incomes and establish Plateau as a major player in Africa’s potato industry.

According to him, the successful completion of the project marks the revival of an initiative that was on the verge of being abandoned when his administration assumed office.

The Governor explained that the potato value chain extends beyond cultivation to processing, transportation, packaging and marketing, creating multiple business opportunities and sustainable employment.

Expressing concern over Nigeria’s dependence on imported potato products, the Governor declared: “This is the beginning of the end of that story. We want to assure all the top businesses in Nigeria that they can buy potatoes from Plateau State, and they will compete with potatoes from anywhere in the world.

“Also, from the next school calendar year, we will begin feeding our schoolchildren with potatoes. The school feeding programme in Plateau State will place serious emphasis on our locally produced products,” he assured.

Governor Mutfwang announced plans to commence local production of potato chips and potato flakes while introducing value-added potato products into the state’s school feeding programme.

He also stated that the disease-free seed materials distributed during the event were strictly for multiplication and not for consumption. He urged farmers to embrace improved varieties, cooperative farming and mechanisation to eliminate crop diseases, increase profitability and reduce labour-intensive farming practices.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Samson Bugama, described the commissioning as the beginning of the “Plateau Potato Revolution”, noting that the Tissue Culture Laboratory would serve as the foundation for developing disease-free seed varieties and indigenous potato varieties capable of competing globally.