Jesse Ashumate, a Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate for Taraba South, has unveiled a comprehensive legislative blueprint to transform the agricultural sector, restore lasting peace, and drive economic empowerment across the district.

Mr Ashumate unveiled the agenda at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday to officially begin his campaign, highlighting the untapped agricultural potential of Taraba South, particularly in rice, yam, and fisheries.

He stressed that while Taraba South is a primary driver of the nation’s food supply, the region had long been deprived of vital agricultural infrastructure.

“People call Benue the food basket of the nation. While Benue has the basket, I feel that the food is from Taraba. Taraba yam and rice are among the highest quality food crops in the country,” he said.

Mr Ashumate said that his legislative priority would include sponsoring bills to establish specialised institutions, such as a school of fishery along the River Benue basin and dedicated crop research institutes that would directly support local farmers.

He also promised to advocate for a shift from traditional rainfall-dependent farming systems to modern, high-yield techniques.

On the recurring security and communal challenges in the zone, Mr Ashumate promised to use legislative mechanisms to blur tribal divides and foster social cohesion.

On farmer-herder conflicts in particular, the candidate called for modern ranching and stakeholder reorientation rather than outdated nomadic practices.

“With Nigeria’s population exceeding 200 million, open grazing is no longer viable,” he said.

Highlighting successful ranches on the Mambilla Plateau, he emphasised the need for proper sensitisation of herders to see ranching as a profitable business that improves yield and protects farmland.

Mr Ashumate expressed support for well-articulated state policing frameworks and laws that protect every citizen’s right to live and trade freely across the country.

“My vision centres on expanding rural healthcare infrastructure, securing federal job placements for constituents and supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises to reduce unemployment and redundancy.

“If elected, I will build an egalitarian society where economic growth and harmonious coexistence allow all citizens of Taraba South to thrive,” he promised.

Mr Ashumate, an indigene of Wukari council area, is a fellow of the West African College of Physicians.

He served as a principal medical officer in some public health facilities in Taraba, director of Health Services at the Federal University, Wukari, and a two-term commissioner of finance in the state.

(NAN)