Plateau State Farmers Demand Urgent Refunds Following 17-Month Delay and Alleged Breach of Contract in Government Tractor Initiative

Plateau State farmers seek refunds for the PADP tractor initiative, citing a breach of contract and 17-month delay. Read about the dispute over tractor brands.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 9:23 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Champion

Protracted Delay Triggers Financial Crisis for Local Farmers

A group of farmers who subscribed to the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP) tractor initiative has formally demanded a full refund of their counterpart funding, citing a significant breach of contract. The dispute centers on a 17-month delay during which subscribers have seen no delivery of the promised machinery. Spokesperson for the affected group, Mr. Tapshak Mantu, revealed that many participants took out substantial bank loans to meet the N9 million counterpart funding requirement. With the delay spanning nearly a year and a half, these farmers are now facing debilitating interest rates that, in some cases, exceed the original principal borrowed.

Dispute Over Brand Substitution and Equipment Quality

The core of the legal and administrative friction lies in the type of equipment being offered by the PADP. According to the subscribers, the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stipulated the delivery of Massey Ferguson or Preet tractors—brands well-known for their durability in the rugged terrain of the state's Southern zone. However, the agency is reportedly now offering the "Swaraj" brand. Pharm. Henry Dabes, a subscriber and community health pharmacist, noted that the tractors currently being presented are entirely unfamiliar to the local farming community. Despite claims from the PADP that the new models are of higher quality, farmers argue they cannot risk their livelihoods on unproven machinery that may not serve large-scale commercial needs.

Uneven Refund Process Sparks Allegations of Partiality

Further complicating the issue are reports of a selective refund process. Some subscribers, particularly those belonging to certain agricultural associations, have allegedly already received their money back after the associations pulled out of the program due to dissatisfaction with the terms and conditions. However, independent farmers like Mr. Denka Zatgak claim their applications for refunds—some submitted as far back as April 2025—remain unprocessed. This perceived disparity has led to increased tensions at the PADP headquarters in Jos, as independent subscribers demand the same exit rights afforded to association members.