Benue Commits to Agricultural Revolution via Mechanization

Governor Hyacinth Alia has affirmed a decisive administrative commitment to achieving comprehensive agricultural mechanization across Benue State, declaring that this technological leap is the centerpiece of his strategy to boost food security and economic prosperity. The ambitious plan is set to be put into immediate action, beginning with the dry-season farming programme scheduled to commence in December 2025.

The governor’s commitment was solidified during a strategic inspection visit on Monday to the Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanization. The purpose of the tour was to personally assess the progress and readiness of the state’s investment in agricultural infrastructure, specifically focusing on the tractor and equipment assembly plant where significant work has been underway.

During the extensive site inspection, Governor Alia examined a wide array of newly assembled machinery, including 41 new tractors of varying capabilities, with horsepower ranging from 25hp to 95hp. Complementing this fleet were several crucial, modern farm implements such as combine harvesters, various types of threshers, sophisticated planters/fertilizer applicators, excavators, and modern yam mounders, which are vital for increasing efficiency and scale in key Benue crops.

Governor Alia made it clear that the future success of this initiative rests on sustaining the existing Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. He reiterated his unwavering resolve to continue the partnership entered into by the state government with Mass International & Equipment Nigeria Limited and SABASPAC Int’l Ltd., which serve as the tripartite private-sector collaborators in the mechanization program. The entire initiative, which is coordinated by the Bureau for Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, under the leadership of Ms. Benita Shuluwa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, operates the Agribusiness Mechanization Centre from the premises of the Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanization.

Highlighting the immediate returns on this investment, the governor noted that the collaborative effort is already yielding significant gains in human capital development. He revealed that the initiative has successfully trained over 900 youths in essential, modern agricultural skills, including tractor assembly and the best practices associated with contemporary farming techniques. Additionally, the governor toured demonstration farms within the facility, which are showcasing smart seedlings for a diverse range of crops, including high-value commodities like papaya, cocoa, rice, and oil palm, indicating a focus on both cash and food crops.

To further operationalize the agricultural transformation, Governor Alia issued a directive to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, mandating the immediate earmarking of all government-owned agricultural lands. These lands are to be dedicated to the planting and replanting of improved seedlings for traditional crops like oranges and mangoes, as well as staple grains crucial for food security, such as guinea corn, wheat, barley, and sorghum. The governor concluded by urging Benue farmers across the state to capitalize on the enhanced inputs already available at the Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanization, stressing that the adoption of superior seedlings and mechanized techniques is the single most critical factor for achieving the state’s ambitious agricultural transformation agenda.