Plateau State Government Plans to Boost Agro Cargo Export, FAAN Urges Investment in Airport Infrastructure

Lagos - The Plateau State Government has unveiled its strategy to boost agro cargo export by providing tractors and fertilisers to farmers at subsidised rates. This initiative is expected to reduce youth restiveness, attract more people back to farming, and increase the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The government's efforts aim to address the issue of agricultural produce from the state going to waste due to a lack of facilities for export. Tomatoes, vegetables, and other perishable items harvested by farmers in Plateau State often end up rotting. However, the state government is determined to prevent such waste and develop the necessary facilities to ensure growth in the agricultural sector.

In a recent visit to the Government House in Jos, the Avia-Cargo Roadmap Project Committee, established by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), emphasized the importance of airport infrastructure in attracting cargo export to both local states and foreign nations. They urged the Plateau State Government to invest in upgrading the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos to an international facility to accommodate larger cargo planes and boost economic activities.

The Plateau State Governor, Mr. Caleb Mutfwang, expressed his commitment to supporting farmers by providing subsidised rates for tractors and fertilisers. He projected that the impact of these efforts would begin to show from 2024. The governor also highlighted the state's potential to feed the entire nation and export agricultural produce to foreign countries.

Furthermore, Mutfwang stressed the importance of cargo export to the economy and stated that upgrading the airport would enable the transportation of vegetables via cargo planes. This upgrade would not only significantly boost economic activities in Plateau State but also reduce post-harvest losses.

Mr. Mohammed Kabir, the Managing Director of FAAN, encouraged the Plateau State Government to invest in airport infrastructure to increase revenue generation. Kabir pointed out that even a 1% investment of a state's budget in airport development would translate to a 2.5% increase in the state's GDP, as demonstrated by empirical studies conducted by the Airports Council International (ACI).

The Coordinator of the Avia-Cargo Roadmap Project Committee, Mr. Ikechi Uko, described Plateau State as unique and highlighted its potential to attract tourists and export goods and cargo. The committee's purpose is to identify and rectify the factors responsible for the decline in agro cargo exports.

Plateau State, referred to as the "food basket" of Nigeria's North Central region, has historically been a major exporter of agricultural produce. However, recent challenges have hampered these export activities. The government's plan to provide support to farmers, upgrade airport facilities, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders is a promising step towards reviving and expanding the agro cargo export sector in Plateau State.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-08-24 News

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