Reclaiming Benue’s Pride Of Place In Agriculture

Agriculture which is the main stay of the Benue economy has not taken its full pride of place due, perhaps, to improper attention and lack of commitment given to the sector by successive administrations.

The fertile land which cuts across the three geopolitical zones of the state for cultivation of different crops and planting of economic trees had not been fully utilized.

However, with the emergence of the present administration, Governor Alia has devoted time, human and financial resources to revive the sector and make it work.

Governor Alia has earmarked 15. 28% of the 2025 budget for livestock and agricultural production. This is to ensure food security and make Benue live up to its reputation as the Food Basket of the Nation.

The governor has planned to invest in modern smart agricultural techniques, irrigation systems, and provide high-yield seedlings to empower Benue farmers.

The goal is to increase local production, reduce reliance on imported food, and ensure that the agricultural sector is sustainable and profitable for Benue farmers.

Governor Alia is also working to enhance the storage and distribution of farmers’ outputs to prevent post-harvest losses and ensure food availability in all seasons.

He intends to expand Benue investment in food storage infrastructure and distribution networks for efficient supply chains that deliver food from farm to market without delay.

The Governor had already made significant efforts in agriculture and food security include providing fertilizers and farm inputs via grants, and subsidies of up to 50%.

These interventions have significantly mitigated challenges faced by farmers, ensuring timely access to farm inputs. These efforts have sustained jobs, alleviated poverty, boosted the income of Benue citizens, and increased farm production in Benue rural economy.

The governor, in his unwavering commitment to the sector, created the Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanization where sale and distribution of assorted fertilizers, improved seeds and seedlings to farmers are being done to boost food production.

At the official launch of the two hundred trucks of fertilizers last year, Governor Alia also announced that the state government took delivery of sixty trucks of assorted fertilizers from the federal government for distribution to registered and genuine farmers free of charge.across the 23 local government areas of the state.

These efforts were aimed at boosting the local economy and blocking racketeering, where politicians and the rich mop up the inputs for sale at exorbitant prices.

Governor Alia has been advocating  for formation of farm cooperatives of about ten to fifteen members, identify heaters of land, type of farm, while Government would provide tractors, fertilizers and agrochemicals for them free of charge and would also buy from them at the prices of choice.

The renewed strategic partnership with development partners such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, Value Chain in Rice and Cassava, Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP,  among others by Governor Alia’s administration has opened up new opportunities for value addition and agro-processing, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

Through the efforts of the governor, the Benue State Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi Arid Landscape, ACReSAL with support from the World Bank was abled to procure thirty three tractors to be given to farmers.

It is also noteworthy to mention that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has witnessed some modest transformation including the resuscitation of the Fertilizer Blending Plant and the Benue State Swine and Crop Improvement Project at Yandev that was established to improve local performance of indigenous breed of pigs as well as improve the protein intake of People of Benue State.

Aware that ninety five percent of the farming population lives in the rural areas, Governor Alia is making concerted efforts to return total peace to villages in Guma,Gwer, Gwer West, Makurdi,Ukum and Logo which have been facing attacks from armed herdsmen.

These efforts are gradually yielding results as some displaced persons have gone back to their homes and are carrying out massive land cultivation.

With these positive steps taken by the Governor to revitalised agriculture, the people are motivated into farming and food production is not at the increase.

Governor Alia’s huge investment and commitment to agriculture will not only make Benue State the Food Basket of the Nation, but it could also feed the entire West Africa.

– Uzaan is Principal Special Assistant to Benue State Governor on Media and Content Creation