Senator Lalong’s enduring agricultural legacies waxing stronger in Plateau

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By Rescue monitoring team

Distinguished Senator Simon Bako Lalong served as the Executive Governor of Plateau State from 2015 to 2023. His administration made several contributions to the agricultural sector.

Below is a summary of some of his key achievements in the agricultural sector of Plateau State.

1. Agricultural Development Programs: Implemented the Agro Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) to the Project to boost agricultural productivity.
2. HE Simon Bako Lalong championed policy on Livestock for Nigeria. He Established the NLTP in Plateau popularly called the ‘SLTP.’ The pilot schemes are currently in Kanam and Wase LGAs. Thank God just like the (1) RAAMP, (2) N-G cares

(3) The ACReSAL, (4) The Potato Value Chain and the (5) L – PRESS, Lalong Legacies still speaks and thrives with great impact to the sector. The SLTP is being acknowledged by the present government of HE Barr CM Mutfwang. It is worth saying that Gov Lalong then saw the Livestock and Ranching Initiatives (NLTP) as a handy modernised cattle rearing that would reduce farmer-herder conflicts. He led the campaign as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum to encourage controlled grazing and improve livestock productivity, in Nigeria. Today, it is History. Even his enemies who opposed both him and the plan, by giving a negative reportage & colouration, are celebrating him for this giant initiative. Indeed it is gratifying that President Bola Tinubu has escalated the idea by establishing a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

4. Youth and Women Empowerment in Agriculture: He also in addition to the SLTP Launched the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) to empower youth and women in livestock farming.

His government engaged over 3,000 youths and women in various agricultural enterprises through training and funding.

5. Subsidized Farm Inputs and Mechanization: Provided fertilizers, seeds, and agrochemicals to farmers at subsidized rates. Supported farmers through a 40% subsidy to enable them to procure and own farm power machines. This mechanized farming boosted large-scale farming.
6. Agricultural Infrastructure and Market Access: Rehabilitated rural roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) to ease farm produce transportation.
   Also included the Revitalized irrigation schemes for dry-season farming, including the Dadin Kowa and Shen irrigation projects.
7. Partnerships and Investments: Partnered with private investors and international organizations to improve agricultural value chains.

Encouraged the establishment of agro-industries and processing centres to reduce post-harvest losses.

8. Food Security and Climate-Smart Agriculture: Promoted climate-resilient farming techniques to combat desertification and unpredictable weather patterns.Eg The ACReSAL with ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Water resources Anchorring. This Project supported tree-planting initiatives to prevent soil erosion and enhance sustainable agriculture.
9. Revitalization of Agricultural Institutions: Employed 400 Plateau youths to the Department of Agricultural Extension Services of PADP. Strengthened agricultural extension services by training extension officers to assist local farmers. Annually, Collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for capacity building of extension staff and Empowerment of Farmers with livestock starter packs. He equally Revived moribund state-owned agricultural enterprises to improve food production.
10. Sourced for funds and the construction of a befitting infrastructure and commissioning of the new Faculty of Agriculture and the subsequent creation of the Faculty of Agriculture Plateau State University with 3 Departments namely, Crop Science, Animal Science and Agricultural Economics in 2022-23. Collaborated with the University of Jos. The government through the Ministry of Agriculture offered its veterinary hospital in a PPP arrangement to the University of Jos to enable her to commence the Veterinary Hospital. This is in addition to the 500 hectares at Gangnum for the research of Artemisia annua.
11. Accreditation of Programmes in the College of Agriculture Garkawa. Facilitated and funded its first convocation in 2022 After more than 20 years of its establishment.
12. Established the Plateau State potato Value chain support project- an AfDB-funded project.
13. Hosted the first and the most successful 45 NCARD in Plateau state where the 2 ministers of agriculture and the Permanent Secretary, Senate and HoR, the 36 states and FCT fully participated. Over 1700 stakeholders participated. It was adjudged to be the most successfully organised and participated NCARD in the last 2 decades. This showcased the potential of the Agriculture of Plateau State to the world. It was an opportunity that created a good enabler for some viable agro-allied companies on the Plateau. One of them is the Popular -Dr Fish. Through that, A 1.6 km community Road was constructed in Kwang.
14. Plateau State Collaborated with Lake Chad Research Institute in a 3-year adaptability Trial of 17 varieties of wheat and barley. The outcome of the research was given to the CBN. Due to the revelation, Plateau state got engaged in a 1000 hectares – the wet season of wheat for the first time in Nigeria, sponsored by the CBN. These were in: Heipang of B/ladi and Kwall of Bassa LGAs. Today Plateau State is being recognised as the Centre of Excellence of Wheat and Barley in Nigeria. It was demonstrated that only Plateau State can produce wheat and Barley in both dry and wet seasons in Nigeria. The brown Revolution was launched by the then HE, President M. Buhari in 2022.
15. It was under HE Lalong that for the first time, an Agricultural policy document and implementation plan was developed for the sector, (2022-2027) in support of the GIZ.
16. Plateau state championed the development of the National Potato policy, considering the comparative and competitive advantages the state has in the industry. This was launched in 2023.
17. During the leadership of HE Governor Simon Bako Lalong, A distinguished Senator now, the Farmer’s Bank, the first of its kind in Nigeria and 2nd to Kenya in Africa. It still operates with an interest rate of 3%. This was established in Jos. It still thrives. Many awards were bestowed on Lalong for his laudable achievements by the World Bank.
18. In 2017 – 2019. Plateau state recruited 300 unemployed youths and women ( also known as the ‘Fadama GUYs’- from the ( ie 100 each 3 Senatorial of the state) enjoyed a grant of between N700,000 to N150,000 from the Fadama 3 additional finance The Beneficiaries went through an intensive 3 weeks training ( In: college of forestry Jos, College of Education, Pankshin and College of Agriculture Garkawa for the Northern, Central and Southern Senatorial zones respectively), aside many farm inputs given to farmers.
19. Lalong’s legacy in the Agricultural sector includes the establishment and strengthening of over 40 commodity associations with many Agricultural cooperatives. This enhanced bilateral partnership and participation in all agricultural activities eg capacity building on good agricultural practices in rice, vegetable potato, Ginger, and livestock among many others.
20. Under the watchful eyes of SB Lalong, Plateau State attracted farm inputs from the Federal government to Plateau State farmers.
21. Building of the Dadin Kowa Veterinary Clinic in 2023.
22. N30 million Renovation of the main Jos Abattoir, in 2022.
23. The Rice Farmers Association, Cotton Farmers Association, Maize Farmers Association and Wheat Farmers Association for the first time enjoyed the CBN subsidized loan facility called the Anchor Borrowers Scheme. Thanks to Lalong enabling agricultural policies.
24. The annual Summit for Business Enabling Environment cannot be forgotten easily. Lalong went far and near to attract investors to Plateau State. The Arewa cotton farm is an attestation to one.

Impact of these Achievements:

1. Increased food production and security in Plateau State by 35%
2. Reduced conflicts between farmers and herders through ranching and improved livestock management.
3. Created employment opportunities for youths and women in agribusiness.
4. Enhanced rural development through improved road networks and irrigation.

With his passion for Agriculture, it was not surprising that former Governor Simon Bako Lalong on arriving the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to represent the people of Plateau South Senatorial District, was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges. He is also a member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development as well as Livestock Development. He has continued to provide leadership in ensuring that Nigeria and Plateau State get the best of its agricultural potentials.

Signed:
Comrade Iliya Mark, JP
Chairman

Jok Ayuba Tumba
Secretary

For: Rescue Monitoring Team.
9th March 2025.