Taraba History
Our History Our Culture
Taraba state was created on 27th August, 1991 out of the defunct Gongola State. A state with a huge reservoir of natural resources. Taraba is aptly christened “Natures of Gift Nation. If carefully harnessed, it can lead to a revolutionary transformation of people and the landscape. Founded on a tripod of strengths, the potentials are agriculture, solid mineral deposits and tourism.
The state dreives its names from River Taraba in Central Senatorial District of the State. Its administrative structure is based on 16 local government areas as well as the Yangtu and Ngada Special Development Areas spread across the three geopolitical zones, with a total population of over three(3) million people.
The state is ethnologically heterogeneous with more than 100 ethnic groups. They include Chamba. Jukun. Fulani, Tiv, Ichen, Jenjo, Kuteb, Mambilla, Mumuye, Hausa, Munga, Wurukum, Yandang and KArimjo. Others are Bandawa, Kaka, Bambuka, Kambu, Zo, Kunini, Loo, Ndoro, Panso, Shomo, and Tigun.
His Excellency
Darus Dickson Ishaku
Fina Executive Governor
Our Culture
OUR PRIDE
Taraba
GEOGRAPHY
Taraba has vast landmass of about 59,400 square kilometers which lies roughly between latitude 6.30 and 9.36 Northern longitude 9.10 and 11.50 East located in the North geopolitical region of Nigeria. Tarabas state shares boundaries with Bauchi and Gombe states in the North, Adamawa state in the north east, plateau and Nassarawa states in the west, Benue in the south west and the Republic of Cameroons in the South East.
The state topography comprises undulating plains and raising hills with five vegetation zones unique to it compared to any other part of the county. These diverse five vegetations are: Sudan Savannah, Guinea Savannah, Derived Savannah, and High Forest Montane Forest. The climate is distinctively characterized by two seasons which are rainy and dry.
The rainy seasons which lasts between November and March, often marked from through October, which the dry season last between November and March, often marked by severe harmattan between January and February. The average yearly rainfall in the state is 1.350mm and the mean annual temperature is around 28 degree centigrade.
The highest point in the state Mambila Plateau in Sardauna local government area which stands at well over 1,830 meters above sea level and noted to be the highest point in Nigeria. Characterized by a temperature climate amid a dominant tropical zone, it is the primus of torusim. The major twons in Taraba state include Jalingo which is the state capital, Wukari, Takum, Gembu, Zing, Bali, Donbga, Mutum, Biyu and Karim-Lamido.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is largely the mainstay of Taraba's economy and economy and employs 80% of the state population on the average, contributing 65% to the state GDP with Rivers Benue, is ripe for dry season farming, a practical commitment to elevate agriculture to being the major export earner. Also, livestock production is a major enterprises as Taraba is noted for being a leader in the country, with Jalingo and the Mambila Plateau being major areas. Taraba state abounds in natural resources, land which is its natural endowment is vast and the most important factor that drives economic activities of the 59,400 square kilometers of Taraba's landmass, 50,000 square kilometers of five million hectares is arable, 11,000 square kilometers is covered by forest and 8,000 kilometers is under water, marshy, flooded and waterlogged areas.
The rich alluvial soil favourable climate conditions make farming very attractive and lucrative. More than 50% of the population is engaged in what is essentially subsistence farming. The tractor hiring Unit (THU) has in its pool tractors and pay loaders which are to be hired to farmers to assist in agriculture production. So far, a 15 hectare of commercial Agriculture in Jalingo to boost production of high quality vegetables for local and international markets. Taraba is noted for having over 79 agriculture potentials spread across 16 local governments as well as Yangtu Ngada Special Development Areas.
Taraba
Solid Minerals
The state parades about 46 solid mineral deposits. They are found across the 16 local government areas of the state. They include blue Sapphire, Limestone, barites, Tbauxite, gemstones, uranium and many others. There is no industry set up for the official exploitation of those solid mineral.
Although certain activities are being undertaken by unlicensed investors. Already a geological profile has been undertaken to determine the quality and quantity of most minerals.
Livestock
Taraba leads in livestock prodcution in Nigeria. All breeds of domestic animals are Tfound in the state. They include cattle, horse, donkeys, sheep, goats, pig and rabbits. Poultry production covers an array of birds like chickens, ducks, guinea fowls, doves, pigeon, and so on.
There is high concentration of cattle breeding in the region of four million in Jalingo and Mambilla Plateau which are veritable spots for the establishment of meat processing and Dairy industries.
Taraba
FOREST
Taraba is blessed with abundant forest resources in the central and southern parts. they include Kurmi, Gashaka and several plantations on the Mambilla Tplateau. The forest reserves serve as bulwark against erosion, flood and drought. They are also for the production of wood and timber. A timber factory is located in Baisssa, Kurmi local government area, and the area has potential for more such as factories. A total of 11,129 square kilometers of land in the state is under forest reserve. Recent activities of illegal felling of trees are being tracked to arrest the practice so as to check rapid deforestation. There are 20 gazetted forest reserves and 30 proposed.
The Games reserves are found in Gashaka local government area. They are established to provide good habit for wild life and wild plants for their production. The Gashaka Gumti National Park is sanctuary for this purpose. It is touted as the biggest in West Africa and is a tourist destination as well as for researchers.
They also serve the purpose of land reclamation and the replenishment of soil fertility. There also thick natural forest in Taraba state which exist and flourish under environmental conditions like rainfall and fertile soil that produce tress that are of high commercial value.
