Unlocking Plateau’s Agricultural Promise
Plateau State, often referred to as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” is also a powerhouse of agricultural potential. With agriculture contributing significantly to the state’s economy and employing approximately 75% of the population, this sector is vital for livelihoods, food security, and economic growth. Despite its importance, the agricultural sector currently operates at only 20% of its potential, offering immense opportunities for innovation and investment.
Agricultural Overview
Agriculture in Plateau State is diverse, supported by fertile soils, a favorable climate, and vast arable land. The state is Nigeria’s leading producer of Irish potatoes, contributing over 90% of the country’s supply. Other high-value crops cultivated include strawberries, apples, coffee, broccoli, and flowers, along with staples like sorghum, rice, maize, yams, cassava, and vegetables.
Additionally, Plateau State is renowned for its unique agricultural products, such as the intensely hot “Miango Pepper” and the high-quality “Tomato Jos.”
Investment Opportunities in Agriculture
Large-Scale Farming
- High-Value Crops: Crops such as strawberries, broccoli, radish, cauliflower, and apples offer lucrative opportunities for commercial farming.
- Exotic Flowers: Plateau State is ideal for cultivating exotic flowers, which are in high demand both locally and internationally.
Agro-Processing and Value Addition
- Vegetable Processing: Investment in dehydration, juice, and paste production for tomatoes, peppers, and onions can reduce post-harvest losses (currently over 30%) and build a robust value chain.
- Food Storage Facilities: Modern storage and preservation infrastructure can mitigate product losses and stabilize market prices.
- Fonio (Acha) Production: Cultivated in nine LGAs, fonio has high nutritional value and increasing demand, making expansion and processing viable.
Agro-Industries
- Fertilizer Production: Phosphate reserves and urban waste can support both organic and inorganic fertilizer manufacturing to address local supply gaps.
- Flour Milling: With abundant grains like millet, sorghum, and maize, flour milling is a profitable venture, especially with potential to revive dormant mills.
- Feed Mills: Growing demand for livestock and poultry feed presents opportunities to establish commercial feed mills for local and regional markets.
Livestock and Dairy
- Meat and Dairy Production: With over 1 million cattle, Plateau State offers potential for meat processing, milk production, cheese, and butter industries. The Vom Dairy Factory serves as a strong foundation.
- By-Products Utilization: Bones, blood, and hides can be processed into ceramics, surgical materials, animal feed, and leather goods, opening diverse revenue channels.
Fishery Development
- Aquaculture: Over 20 dams and reservoirs—including the Panyam Fish Farm in Mangu LGA, Africa’s largest—offer opportunities in fish processing, packaging, and expansion for both local consumption and export.
Exotic Flower Production
- Floriculture: The temperate climate supports the cultivation of flowers like roses, tulips, and pygmy date palms. Greenhouse development can enhance both local sales and export potential.
Kenaf and Sesame Cultivation
- Kenaf: Grows well in Plateau’s soil and serves as an eco-friendly alternative to plastics, especially for bag production.
- Sesame Seed: A high-value crop used in margarine, confectionery, and pharmaceuticals, making it a profitable agribusiness investment.
The agricultural sector in Plateau State offers unmatched opportunities for investors. From large- scale farming and agro-processing to the development of sustainable agro-industries, the potential is vast. By leveraging its natural endowments and addressing existing challenges, Plateau State can emerge as a hub for agricultural innovation and economic prosperity.