Jos, Plateau State – May 6, 2025
We hereby call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to establish a specialized agency for Root Crop Processing and Development, focusing on harnessing the economic potential of crops such as potatoes, cassava, yam, and cocoyam, staples that are abundantly cultivated in Plateau State and across the Middle Belt.
While Nigeria has made considerable investments in cereal crop development, root crops, despite their vast economic and export potential, remain largely underdeveloped due to the absence of value chain infrastructure and targeted policy support.
We believe the time has come for a bold national step that prioritizes agro-industrialization through root crops. Establishing a dedicated agency will unlock massive employment opportunities, stimulate rural economies, and reduce post-harvest losses that have plagued our farmers for decades.
We also wish to amplify our concern over the systemic neglect of pig farmers in the new programs and policy frameworks under the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. Overlooking pig farming—a significant livelihood source in Plateau State and parts of the North Central—risks deepening economic marginalization and disrupting local food security systems. Pig farming is not only viable but critical to protein security and youth employment in our region. The Federal Ministry must adopt an inclusive approach to livestock development that leaves no farmer behind.
We urged the Federal Government to undertake immediate consultations with regional stakeholders and agribusiness actors to design a holistic policy framework that reflects the diversity of Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
Joshua Sati