GAP Agro Limited has recorded a successful farming season in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, harvesting over 400 bags of maize alongside other farm produce.
The achievement was disclosed during an interview conducted at the farm residence, where activities of the harvest were ongoing.
Speaking during the interview, the Manager of the farm, Mrs. Maksat Ezekiel, expressed gratitude for a productive season despite numerous challenges.
She explained that she has been involved in managing the farm for the past three years, overseeing both the agricultural operations and the residence.
Mrs. Ezekiel clarified that GAP Agro Limited is owned by Dr. Garba Pwul, SAN, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the company.
According to her, the farm previously faced difficulties in accessing labour and farm equipment, which affected productivity in earlier seasons.
She noted that this year’s outcome was encouraging, as the farm was able to harvest close to 400 bags of maize.
“We faced many challenges in the past, especially with getting workers and farm equipment, but we thank God that we were able to harvest almost 400 bags of maize this season,” she said.
Mrs. Ezekiel added that the success was made possible through the support of individuals who assisted with planting, spraying, and harvesting.
“People supported us in planting, spraying chemicals, and harvesting. We planted manually, and their help made a big difference,” she added.
She revealed that the farm adopted improved seeds from the National Seed Council, which performed better than local seeds previously used.
“This time, we planted certified seeds from the National Seed Council, and honestly, the yield was very good,” she stated.
In addition to maize, the farm also cultivated rice, groundnuts, soya beans, and other local crops.
She explained that land clearing was done manually using hoes and rakes, while tractors were later used for land cultivation.
Mrs. Ezekiel disclosed that the farm did not receive any form of support from government agencies, cooperatives, or non-governmental organizations.
She identified the high cost of fertilizer and tractor services as the major challenges faced during the farming season.
According to her, competition for limited tractors often affected the quality and timing of farm operations.
She also raised concerns about insecurity in parts of Mangu, noting that farming activities were sometimes carried out under fear.
Mrs. Ezekiel said security personnel were occasionally arranged to escort workers to the farm due to safety concerns.
She further explained that the high cost of pesticides and herbicides forced the farm to rely more on manual weeding.
Despite these challenges, she said the farming activities positively impacted the local community.
According to her, women and youths in the area benefited through temporary jobs and earned income to support their families.
She concluded by appealing to government authorities to reduce the cost of farm inputs, stressing that such support would encourage farmers to continue contributing to food security.
