Coffee farming in Plateau State is experiencing renewed interest as farmers who previously abandoned the crop begin returning to cultivation following increased awareness, farmer engagement and market promotion by Lingzhi Global Nigeria Limited.
The development is particularly significant in areas such as Vwang, Vom and other parts of Jos South Local Government Area, where coffee farming has historically been an important agricultural activity. Farmers said the industry had suffered years of poor patronage, inadequate markets, limited investment and insufficient support, forcing some producers to cut down their coffee trees or abandon farming altogether.
The intervention by Lingzhi Global, led by its Chief Executive Officer and Ambassador of Wealth, Blessing Nenman, has helped restore confidence among farmers and generated renewed expectations that coffee can once again become a profitable agricultural venture on the Plateau, in Nigeria and across Africa.
A major turning point was the Lingzhi Global Coffee Festival held in Plateau State in 2025. The event brought together national and international coffee enthusiasts and drew attention to Plateau’s coffee potential. Farmers said the festival and subsequent awareness activities increased interest in coffee production, consumption, health benefits and investment opportunities.
Mrs. Margaret Ishaku Fei, a coffee farmer and distributor, said coffee farming requires patience, endurance and adequate care. She explained that raising coffee seedlings can take up to six months before they are ready for transplanting.
Fei said coffee farming has been part of her family for many years, with relatives involved in planting, harvesting and selling the crop. However, she noted that demand increased significantly following the Lingzhi Global Coffee Festival.
According to her, the increased interest has encouraged some people who previously cut down their coffee trees to return to farming, while demand for seedlings has now exceeded supply. She identified water as the biggest challenge confronting farmers, alongside difficulty accessing suitable organic manure and polythene bags for raising seedlings.
Fei urged farmers to return to nursery production to take advantage of the growing demand and commended Lingzhi Global for promoting coffee and supporting farmers.
Daniel Gyang Pam, a coffee farmer from Vwang District, said he inherited the practice from his father and has continued farming despite limited support from the industry.
Pam recalled that poor patronage and lack of buyers had forced farmers to cut down coffee trees because the crop appeared unprofitable. However, he said Lingzhi Global’s intervention has renewed his hope that coffee farming can become productive and sustainable.
He also appreciated the organisation for educating farmers about the health benefits and importance of coffee, saying the initiative had encouraged him and others to continue cultivating the crop.
Another farmer, Pam Mwanti Gyang, said coffee production requires patience, particularly during the nursery stage. He explained that seedlings take several months to develop and need adequate water and proper care.
Gyang said the renewed interest generated by Lingzhi Global has encouraged farmers to plant new coffee trees. However, he appealed for the establishment of a reliable market where farmers can sell their produce and receive good returns.
Solomon Christopher Pam described coffee as a promising agricultural business, noting growing demand for the crop in Plateau State and Nigeria. He identified inadequate funding and the challenge of meeting market demand as major problems and urged more people to invest in coffee farming.
Badung Tom Mangai also called for greater support for farmers, saying communities require practical interventions, increased awareness and stronger collaboration to overcome the challenges facing coffee production.
Joseph Ishaku Dagai said coffee remains important to his family and community but noted that limited finances affect both farmers and consumers. He called for stronger connections within the coffee industry and improved access to resources and opportunities.
Badung Datok, another farmer, expressed concern over inadequate government support but maintained that coffee has significant business potential. He said increasing interest in coffee farming and learning showed that the industry was making progress despite its challenges.
Elisha Yakubu Dadung said coffee farming is a family tradition he learnt from his father. He appreciated Lingzhi Global for engaging farmers and encouraging greater interest in the crop.
Mwanti Jah also commended efforts to promote coffee farming, expressing appreciation to Lingzhi Global for increasing awareness and creating a marketplace for coffee. He particularly highlighted the recent festival held at Langfield, Rayfield, Jos, as evidence of the growing interest in coffee.
Dalyop Tari Gyang, a coffee farmer from Jos South, said he inherited coffee farming from his late father but lost hope when the crop had no reliable market. He explained that the Lingzhi Global Coffee Festival has renewed his confidence, as buyers are now showing increased interest and offering better prices for coffee. Gyang applauded Lingzhi Global for its awareness campaign and intervention, which he said has revived farmers’ hope in coffee farming.
Despite the renewed optimism, farmers stressed that awareness alone will not be enough to sustain the revival. They want improved access to seedlings, water, organic manure, nursery materials, financing, technical support, processing facilities and dependable buyers.
The farmers’ experiences highlight the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, private organisations, investors and farming communities.
Lingzhi Global’s intervention has therefore provided an important platform for rebuilding confidence in Plateau’s coffee industry. The growing demand for seedlings and renewed willingness among farmers to plant coffee trees suggest that the sector has significant potential.
For the revival to become sustainable, however, the renewed enthusiasm must translate into a strong value chain covering seedling production, cultivation, harvesting, processing, marketing and consumption.
After years of declining patronage, Plateau coffee farmers are beginning to believe again that the crop can provide sustainable livelihoods. With continued investment, stronger markets and institutional support, the renewed interest could help reposition Plateau as a major centre of coffee production and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s coffee industry.
