In a bid to keep the legacy as the Food Basket of the Nation, the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Hyacinth Alia, has promised to facilitate education of Benue State farmers on the adoption of new farming methods and technologies. Speaking to participants at the National Agricultural Mechanisation and Innovation Summit (NAMIS), organised by the Coalition Network of Stakeholders in Agricultural Mechanisation (CONESAM) in collaboration with the Benue State Government, the governor made the promise. According to him, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that Benue State continues to live up to her branding as the Food Basket of the Nation.
While acknowledging that Benue State is largely populated with small scale farmers, Governor Alia said it is pertinent to appreciate the fact that agriculture is not just a means of subsistence but also a business that can generate income and create employment opportunities for women and the teeming youth. The Governor identified inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and lack of access to finance as some of the major challenges hindering the growth and development of agribusiness in Benue State. However, he promised to make greater investments in infrastructural development, ensure sufficient security for farmers, and foster favourable conditions for financial access.
The governor appreciated organisers of the summit and urged Benue stakeholders in the agricultural sector to take advantage of the submit and equip themselves with useful knowledge for enhanced agribusiness in the state. A major stakeholder of Agricultural Mechanisation in Benue State, Fidelis Unongo, has underscored the importance of the summit and called on Nigerians to make use of the opportunity provided by CONESAM for improved agricultural productivity while the Coalition Network of Stakeholders in Agricultural Mechanisation (CONESAM), led by its Secretary, Fatima Nuhu, also presented some of their products to the governor at the occasion.
