Shortage of potato seeds hits Plateau farmers

Farmers under the umbrella of Plateau State Irish Potato Farmers (PSIF), Narkuta chapter, have lamented over absence of Irish potato seeds in the state. The farmers said the seeds shortage was as a result of the destruction of Irish potato farms by blight disease in the state in 2014 and 2015. The chairman of the […]

Farmers under the umbrella of Plateau State Irish Potato Farmers (PSIF), Narkuta chapter, have lamented over absence of Irish potato seeds in the state.
The farmers said the seeds shortage was as a result of the destruction of Irish potato farms by blight disease in the state in 2014 and 2015.
The chairman of the association, Malam Isah Ibrahim, informed Daily Trust in Jos on Monday that immediate past administration approved about N68m counterpart funds for potato production when the disease attacked their farms.
He, however, said none of the farmers has received a dime from the fund.
“I can remember, I read the news about government approval of N68m for potato counterpart funding in national dailies and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Hayward Mafuyai, offered to partner with the Plateau State government to tackle the disease that destroyed our farms. Despite that, none of our farmers benefit from such money approved by the government. Right now we are facing lack of seeds,” he said.
He appealed to the government to come to their aid in order to get sufficient seeds that boost high yields.
He also called on his members to speak out until government listens and assists them.