The Benue State Government says it is boosting agricultural production and reviving dormant industries, including Taraku Oil Mills, as part of efforts to strengthen agro-processing and reinforce the state’s position as Nigeria’s food basket.
Mathias Agbo Omikpa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development and Community Mobilisation, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Voice of Nigeria in Abuja.
He said the move highlights initiatives to support farmers, reduce post-harvest losses and create more economic opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
“The Governor, knowing that Benue State is termed as the food basket, is making sure that the basket is not empty, is making sure that the basket is full, and the basket reaches every nook and cranny of Nigeria,” Omikpa said.
Omikpa said the state government was providing fertiliser to farmers at subsidised rates, with distribution organised across local government areas to improve access to essential farm inputs before and during farming seasons.
“This administration makes sure that fertilizers get at subsidized rate to the farmers. It’s ongoing. We normally try to do it before farming season. It’s not just providing it, but providing it at the right time,” he said.
He added that the government was also working to improve access to mechanised farming through the revitalisation of the state’s tractor-hiring agency.
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According to him, the measures are intended to help farmers increase production and sustain agricultural activities across the state.
Agro-Processing
The Special Adviser said agro-processing was central to the government’s agricultural development strategy, particularly in reducing the waste of perishable produce and increasing its commercial value.
“If you see Benue, a lot of fruits—mangoes, yam, and oranges—a lot of them goes to waste. But today, I can tell you the story has changed,” he said.
Omikpa cited a mango juice and concentrate factory as an example of efforts to process locally grown produce for domestic consumption and potential export.
He also highlighted the Food City scheme, a public-private partnership designed to establish a hub for large-scale production and processing of selected crops and grains.
Under the scheme, participating farmers are expected to meet specified production requirements, with arrangements to purchase their produce at agreed prices.
Taraku Oil Mills test run
Omikpa said the government was working to revive dormant agricultural industries, including Taraku Oil Mills, which he noted had been inactive for years.
“As of today I speak, they are test-running already our Taraku Oil Mills, which has been moribund for years, but now it’s coming back on,” he said.
The planned return of the oil mill is part of broader efforts to strengthen agro-industrial production and add value to agricultural commodities, including soybeans.
Omikpa also said the government was committed to returning internally displaced persons to their communities so they could resume farming and contribute to food production.
He said the initiatives were aimed at increasing agricultural output, creating reliable markets for farmers, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening Benue State’s contribution to Nigeria’s food supply.
