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In what is being hailed as a watershed moment for agriculture in Nigeria’s food basket, the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), in collaboration with global giants Sono Group and Picama Group Limited, on November 2, 2025, signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) in Abuja aimed at revolutionizing mango and orange production through drastic reduction of post-harvest losses and full-scale agro-industrial development.
The high-profile ceremony, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, brought together top executives and marked the official launch of a strategic alliance that promises to transform Benue State from a raw-produce supplier into a major player in processed fruits, job creation, and export earnings.
The partnership focuses on closing critical gaps across the agricultural value chain, from modern processing and post-harvest management to cooperative aggregation, market access, farmer empowerment, and direct global export channels. At its core is a commitment to ensuring that virtually none of Benue’s abundant mango and orange harvests go to waste again.
Speaking at the event, BIPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, described the deal as a bold leap from subsistence farming to full-scale industrial agriculture. “Together, we are rewriting the story of agriculture in Benue,” he declared, projecting massive gains in economic growth, youth employment, farmer prosperity, and international visibility.
Sono Group Co-founder, Mr. Daren Jenkins, called the partnership “transformational,” saying it represents a pledge to turn Benue’s fruits and economy into prosperity. Picama Group Chairman, Mr. Frank Runge, reinforced the message, assuring that under the new system, “every harvest will find its market,” and expressed readiness for immediate full-scale operations.
The event was graced by senior BIPC officials including Company Secretary Josephat Ioryoosu Esq., Chief Risk Officer Andrew Simon, and Head of Legal, Barr. Kakwagh Emmanuel, alongside investment leaders from Sono and Picama Groups.
With this tripartite alliance now sealed, Benue State is poised for a dramatic agricultural renaissance driven by cutting-edge technology, private-sector expertise, and a clear vision to make the state not just Nigeria’s food basket, but a global agro-industrial powerhouse. For thousands of farmers and young people in Benue, the future just got a lot brighter.
