A bill to establish the Benue State Post-Harvest Management and Export Agency (BESMEA) scaled second reading at the state assembly on Tuesday.

Leading the debate, McClinton Manger (APC/Tarka) described the proposed legislation as a critical intervention to reposition Benue’s agricultural sector and reduce waste across the value chain.

According to him, despite the state’s reputation as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” farmers continue to suffer heavy losses due to inadequate storage facilities and poor market linkages.

He disclosed that between 30 and 50 per cent of perishable produce, such as yams, tomatoes, mangoes, and citrus, was lost before reaching consumers.

“This is not just a loss of food but a loss of income for our rural farmers, a reduction in state revenue, and a threat to food security.

“The proposed agency will focus on standardising storage through the establishment of modern cold-chain systems and silos across the state’s three senatorial zones.

“It will also promote value addition by supporting small-scale processing of agricultural produce into finished goods such as flour, juice, and concentrates,” he said.

He further noted that BESMEA would provide market intelligence by creating platforms to link farmers directly with buyers, thereby eliminating exploitative middlemen.

The lawmaker said the agency would also undertake research and training to equip farmers with modern harvesting, packaging, and transportation techniques that meet international export standards.

Mr Manger stressed that the initiative could increase farmers’ income by at least 40 per cent while also generating employment opportunities in logistics, warehousing, and food processing.

He added that the agency would attract private sector investment into the state’s agro-industrial corridors, thereby boosting internally generated revenue.

Contributing to the debate, the majority leader, Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), supported the bill.

Mr Dugeri noted that it aligned with the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) ‘s ongoing efforts to reduce post-harvest losses, particularly through fruit-processing initiatives.

However, Peter Uche (APC/Guma) suggested that the proposed body should be structured as an institute with a strong focus on training and capacity building in post-harvest management, rather than merely functioning as a regulatory agency.

In his remarks, Samuel Agada (APC/Ogbadibo) expressed optimism that the agency’s establishment would create jobs and stimulate agricultural production across the state.

Following deliberations, the speaker of the House, Alfred Emberga, directed the clerk, Bem Mela, to read the bill for the second time.

The speaker subsequently referred the bill to the House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources for further legislative scrutiny.

(NAN)