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The Plateau Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme (P-YAEP) has commenced the orientation and project briefing of 500 successfully shortlisted beneficiaries, marking a major step toward the commencement of the 2026 farming season at BARC Farms, Zallaki.
The orientation, held at the Azi Nyako Youth Centre in Jos, brought together beneficiaries, government officials, youth leaders, and project managers to acquaint participants with the programme’s structure, operational guidelines, responsibilities, and expectations.
Speaking at the event, the Focal Person of P-YAEP, Yari Kumchi, said the initiative was designed to reposition agriculture as a profitable business venture for young people rather than merely a means of subsistence.
“We are trying to recreate agriculture in such a way that it becomes attractive to the youth. We want young people to see agriculture as agribusiness and a pathway to empowerment,” Kumchi said.
He acknowledged challenges encountered during previous editions of the programme but noted that lessons learned had informed improvements for the 2026 cycle.
“We failed in 2024, we did better in 2025, and we believe this one will be even better. We have made our mistakes and we are learning from them,” he stated.
Kumchi explained that beneficiaries would be organized into groups of five and allocated five hectares of farmland per cluster. According to him, the government will provide land, farm inputs, technical support, supervision, and access to agronomists, while participants will be responsible for managing their farms and ensuring productivity.
“This is empowerment where you empower yourself. Government is only providing the opportunity, the land, the inputs, and the support. The success of the farm depends on your commitment and effort,” he added.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), Panam Gongden Dapar, commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for sustaining the initiative despite challenges experienced in earlier phases. He revealed that more than 2,000 youths applied for the programme, making the selection of the 500 beneficiaries highly competitive.
“The fact that you are seated here today is a privilege. There are thousands of Plateau youths outside who would gladly take your place. Approach this opportunity with seriousness and dedication,” Dapar said.
He further urged participants to avoid spreading misinformation about the programme and instead utilize established communication channels to seek clarification or address concerns.
Project Lead of P-YAEP, Jan James Diyong, described the programme as a strategic partnership aimed at exposing young people to opportunities across the agricultural value chain rather than a cash-distribution scheme.
“This project is not about sharing money. It is about opening young people to agricultural opportunities and building capacity in agribusiness,” he said.
Diyong disclosed that government had provided land, accommodation, feeding, mechanized farming services, fertilizers, seeds, and other critical inputs to support the participants.
“We are providing everything needed for production. Your responsibility is to show commitment, manage your farms effectively, and work as a team. If we succeed, we all succeed; if we fail, we all fail,” he stated.
The Plateau Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme is one of the flagship initiatives of the Plateau State Government aimed at empowering young people through agriculture, promoting food security, creating sustainable livelihoods, and driving economic growth across the state.
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