The Plateau Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme (P-YAEP) has commenced the orientation and project briefing of 500 successfully shortlisted beneficiaries, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the state government’s youth-focused agricultural initiative.
The orientation, held at the Azi Nyako Youth Centre in Jos, brought together participants, government officials, youth leaders, and project managers to outline expectations, responsibilities, and operational guidelines for the next phase of the programme.
Speaking at the event, the Focal Person of P-YAEP, Yari Kumchi, said the programme was designed to transform agriculture into a viable business venture for young people and not 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 the programme’s previous phases in 2024 and 2025, noting that valuable lessons had been learned to improve the current edition.
“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 grouped into teams of five and allocated five hectares of farmland, while government would provide land, farm inputs, supervision, and technical expertise through agronomists.
“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 addressing participants, Chairman of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC), Panam Gongden Dapar, commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for sustaining the programme despite challenges experienced in previous editions.
He noted that more than 2,000 youths applied for the scheme, making the selection of 500 beneficiaries highly competitive and merit-based.
“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.
The PYC chairman cautioned beneficiaries against spreading misinformation or undermining the programme through social media speculation, urging them instead to use official communication channels for complaints and inquiries.
“We will not tolerate anyone sabotaging this opportunity for Plateau youths. If you have questions or concerns, there are channels to address them. Let us show that Plateau youths are serious and ready to succeed,” he stressed.
Project Lead of P-YAEP, Jan James Diyong, described the initiative as a partnership rather than a cash-distribution scheme, emphasizing that it is aimed at exposing young people to the vast opportunities within the agricultural value chain.
“This project is not about sharing money. It is about opening young people to agricultural opportunities and building capacity in agribusiness,” James said.
According to him, government has provided land, accommodation, feeding, mechanized farming support, fertilizers, seeds, and other inputs, while beneficiaries are expected to manage their farms and work closely with assigned agronomists.
“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 said.
James further urged participants to embrace transparency, teamwork, and continuous feedback, assuring them that lessons from previous editions were being applied to ensure a more successful and impactful programme in 2026.
The Plateau Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme is one of the initiatives of the Plateau State Government aimed at empowering young people through agriculture, enterprise development, and sustainable livelihood opportunities while boosting food production and economic growth in the state.
