BARC Farm: Stop Hiding Greed Behind Politics, PVD Tells Kefas Ropshik

The Plateau Vanguard for Democracy (PVD) has directly challenged Chief Kefas Ropshik, also known as Kefiano, regarding a controversy over land allocation at the Plateau Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme (P-YAEP), commonly known as BARC Farm. The PVD accuses Ropshik of attempting to politicize what they describe as a clear violation of government policy and due process.

Chris Ishaku, the national coordinator for PVD, stated that clarifications from the P-YAEP management have exposed Ropshik's efforts to portray himself as a victim. According to PVD, the issue fundamentally concerns compliance, fairness, and the equitable distribution of public agricultural resources. The group expressed dismay that an individual claiming to champion the people would seek to retain land designated for youth groups and other beneficiaries of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s agricultural program.

PVD detailed that Ropshik was allocated 100 hectares for the 2025 farming season, with the government providing land clearing and equipment support. However, Ropshik allegedly expanded his operations into an additional 100 hectares without authorization. Despite this, the state government, through P-YAEP, reportedly showed goodwill by not disrupting his activities during the 2025 season.

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The facts are now clear. Chief Kefas Ropshik was allocated 100 hectares of land for the 2025 farming season under conditions that applied to every other participant. Government cleared the land for him at no cost, gave him access to equipment and supported cultivation activities. But instead of respecting the limits of his allocation, he allegedly extended his operations into another 100 hectares without authorisation.

The group highlighted that this extra 100 hectares were already earmarked for other beneficiaries in the 2026 farming framework, particularly youth groups. The government plans to allocate 1,000 hectares for the 2026 season, divided into 200 five-hectare plots for 200 youth groups, each comprising five members. PVD argued that any individual attempting to obstruct such a program for personal ambition or political grievance should be resisted.

"What Chief Ropshik is doing is not activism. It is not people-oriented politics. It is not defence of the common man. If land that should go to 200 youth groups is being encroached upon by one man, then Plateau people must ask: who is really standing with the people?" PVD questioned, urging citizens to resist such actions.

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What Chief Ropshik is doing is not activism. It is not people-oriented politics. It is not defence of the common man. If land that should go to 200 youth groups is being encroached upon by one man, then Plateau people must ask: who is really standing with the people?