Plateau disowns viral message on intervention for farmers

By Longdi Manbis

Plateau Government has disowned a viral message, titled “Good news for our farmers on the Plateau”, claiming that farmers in the state have been directed to send their details to a private phone number to enable them benefit from intervention by government.

Plateau Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Peter Gai, the dismissed the claim in a statement on Friday in Jos.

He said the message which has been circulating on various WhatsApp groups directing farmers in the state to submit their personal details to a private phone number for an agricultural support programme as false.

The Plateau Commissioner affirmed that the message did not emanate from the ministry.

“In all government interventions, registration of farmers and input distribution are not conducted through private Whatsapp numbers

“The ministry conducts its activities through recognised and official channels, including agricultural departments in the various Local Government Areas (LGAs), extension agents and our office at the state secretariat,” he said.

Gai advised farmers and the general public to disregard the message and desist from sharing personal information, bank details and BVN with fraudsters.

The commissioner urged farmers to verify information on Plateau government’s agricultural programmes from the ministry, State-owned radio stations or agriculture office in their LGAs.

(NAN).