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Thousands of rural farmers in Benue State are currently facing severe hardship and financial distress following the alleged failure of a major dry-season farming project initiated through cooperatives.
According to a detailed account shared by Asom D Jerry, cooperative farmers were mobilized by the Benue State Agricultural Resources and Data Agency (BNARDA) and a private firm, SABASPAC International Limited, for the project which commenced in November last year.
The farmers reportedly paid ₦35,000 per hectare as commitment fees, but the organizers are now claiming the money was meant for land lease. With several cooperatives involved, the total amount collected is estimated to exceed ₦40 million.
Sadly, since the project started, nothing tangible has been achieved at the two designated project sites — Tyo Mu and Pass Brother. When the cooperatives confronted the organizers, they were told the project was stalled because the Benue State Government under Governor Hyacinth Alia failed to release the promised counterpart funds.
Despite the project being completely abandoned, no refunds have been made to the affected farmers. The organizers reportedly told the farmers that refunds can only be processed if the governor eventually releases the funds.
To make matters worse, SABASPAC International Limited has allegedly blocked communication by locking the WhatsApp group created for project updates and coordination.
The affected farmers, many of whom invested their last savings, are now drowning in debt. The contractor has reportedly asked the cooperatives to take over their farms without any further financial support.
The farmers are demanding:
1. Immediate transparency and a public statement from BNARDA and SABASPAC International Limited explaining the status of the funds and the project.
2. Full refund to all affected cooperatives if the project is no longer moving forward.
3. Clear clarification from the Benue State Government on whether it is responsible for the delay or if the agencies acted independently.
The situation has left many cooperative farmers feeling exploited and hopeless, raising serious questions about the management of agricultural intervention projects in the state.
