The Benue State Government has launched a pilot scheme of the Agricultural Mechanisation Outgrower Programme in its bid to restore the state’s reputation as Nigeria’s primary food hub.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, presided over the launch, praising farmers for their resilience and assuring them of government support.
He emphasised that mechanisation would now be more affordable and accessible due to the involvement of reputable private partners, including Alhaji Mohammed Yaro of Mass International.
As part of the launch, the governor handed over the first tractor key to the President of the Benue State Farmers’ Cooperative Federation, signalling government’s commitment to promoting prosperity and self-sufficiency.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Bureau for Agricultural Development and Mechanisation, Mass International and Equipment Nigeria Limited, and SABASPAC International Limited, under the Benue Agribusiness and Mechanisation Centre (BAMC).
It is designed to benefit 10 farm clusters and around 300 farmers.
Under the programme, registered farmers in the state will have access to tractors, improved seeds, farm inputs and structured markets.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Benjamin Ashaver, described the project as a pivotal step towards transforming agriculture in Benue, creating jobs and wealth opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
He disclosed that Mass International also plans to establish a tractor assembly and innovation hub in the state, expected to generate 5,000 jobs and empower thousands of farmers.
Director General of the Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, Ms Benita Shuluwa, noted that her office had supported farmers with subsidised fertiliser, agricultural inputs, and the establishment of a tractor mechanisation centre.
She added that commercial farmlands had been created for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to foster entrepreneurship and economic independence.
Read Also: Refugee Commission Trains Female IDPs In Soilless Farming
“This programme aims to provide farmers with access to agricultural equipment, inputs, modern best practices and technical support to boost productivity and promote economic independence,” she said.
Shuluwa explained that the ultimate goal was to ensure Benue farmers receive true value for their produce while contributing to Nigeria’s food security.
She encouraged more farmer groups to register and take advantage of the scheme.
Ag. Director General of the Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanisation (BNARDA), Mrs Dooshima Zaki, described the programme as a critical component of modern farming, which would reduce drudgery, increase productivity and improve efficiency.
She assured that extension agents had been profiled and trained to work alongside cooperative farmers, providing monitoring, training and technical support.
On the sidelines, Alhaji Mohammed Yaro, Managing Director and Chairman of Mass International & Equipment Nigeria Limited, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s food security agenda.
He announced plans to establish a machinery assembly plant in Benue, offering flexible repayment options and a 50 percent subsidy for farmers willing to invest in modern equipment.
He urged farmers to embrace mechanisation, stressing that the initiative would make them self-reliant while equipping them with advanced agricultural techniques.
Mr Ameh Sabbathson Okpe, CEO of SABASPAC International Limited, said the project would boost economic viability and restore Benue as the true “Food Basket of the Nation”.
He explained that the model targets cooperative groups with a minimum of 40 hectares of land and includes training, resources and structured revenue mechanisms to ensure sustainability.
The Benue Agribusiness and Mechanisation Centre will serve as a hub for mechanisation and technology transfer, creating jobs for young people and strengthening the state’s agricultural sector.
The launch, held in Makurdi, was attended by key agricultural stakeholders, private sector partners and farmer representatives.