The Benue government is partnering with Mass International & Equipment Limited and SABASPAC to boost agriculture in the state through mechanised farming.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, at the official flag-off of the agricultural mechanisation outgrower programme in Makurdi on Wednesday, said that the partnership aimed to encourage farmers to boost food sufficiency.

Mr Alia, who was represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, stated that his administration was determined to restore Benue to its status as the nation’s food basket.

The governor said that the scheme, which would give farmers cooperative societies to own tractors and other equipment, was a pathway to economic prosperity.

He assured the farmers that their request for the government to subsidise the cost of the tractors would be looked into.

Benjamin Ashaver, the commissioner for agriculture and food security, in his remarks, said that the initiative was a practical step towards making agriculture more productive.

The commissioner stated that Benue would continue to spearhead innovative initiatives to enhance agricultural production in the country.

He said that Mr Alia’s administration, particularly in the area of agriculture, would continue to empower youth and women to ensure inclusive growth in Benue.

The director-general of the Bureau for Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, Benita Shuluwa, stated that the agency was tasked with promoting entrepreneurship and wealth creation.

Mr Shuluwa said that the agriculture mechanisation outgrower programme was to empower and support Benue farmer clusters through the Benue Agribusiness and Mechanisation Centre.

She urged farmer groups to come forward and register their groups to enable them to benefit from the programmes in subsequent phases.

Dooshima Zaki, acting director general of the Bureau for Agricultural Development Mechanisation, stated that the initiative would enhance farmers’ access to mechanised farm equipment.

Ms Zaki lauded the governor for transforming the sector.

The president of Mass International & Equipment Limited, Muhammed Yaro, stated that the partnership was formed due to the company’s passion for humanity.

Mr Yaro stated that the equipment supplied to the Benue government was the best available in the current global market.

The Mass International president said that they were established to subsidise agricultural equipment to address the challenges faced by Benue farmers in terms of mechanisation.

The president of the Benue Farmers Cooperative Societies Federation, Elias Iorwuese, appealed to the government to help subsidise the tractors to restore the lost glory of Benue as the nation’s food basket.

Mr Iorwuese, who lauded the governor for efforts to transform the agricultural sector, said that farmers would reciprocate by supporting his reelection in 2027.

(NAN)