The newly appointed Commissioner for Agriculture in Plateau State, Peter Gai, has pledged to prioritise food security and drive policies to boost farming activities in the state.

Mr Gai made the promise shortly after taking over as commissioner in charge of the ministry on Tuesday in Jos.

Recently, Governor Caleb Mutfwang reshuffled his cabinet, moving Mr Gai from the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The new commissioner said the ministry under his leadership would focus on policies and programmes that ensure the availability and affordability of food in the state.

“Our mandate is clear; we will work to guarantee food security, support our farmers with modern inputs and create an enabling environment for agribusiness in the state to thrive,” he said.

Mr Gai added that the ministry would collaborate with federal agencies, development partners, and farmer groups to increase yields across value chains for various crops in the state.

The commissioner, who described agriculture as key to creating jobs and ensuring the state’s economic growth, added that the ministry would tackle post-harvest losses, access to finance, and extension services.

Earlier, Ishaku Bugama, the outgoing commissioner for agriculture, advised ministry staff to accord the new commissioner the support needed to help him succeed.

Mr Bugama, who thanked Mr Mutfwang for the opportunity to serve, expressed confidence that the new commissioner would take the sector to greater heights.

(NAN)