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Benue State, long recognised as the Food Basket of the Nation, is experiencing a renewed surge in agricultural productivity and food security under the focused leadership of Governor Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Hyacinth Iormem Alia. Placing agriculture at the heart of his administration’s development agenda, the Governor has committed substantial budgetary resources and introduced bold reforms aimed at modernising farming practices, empowering rural communities, and repositioning the state as Nigeria’s premier food production hub.
In the 2026 fiscal year, agriculture received one of the largest capital allocations, with targeted investments in mechanisation, irrigation infrastructure, high-quality seedlings, fertiliser distribution, rural access roads, and value-chain development. These interventions are designed to increase output, reduce post-harvest losses, stabilise food supply, and drive rural economic growth.
A flagship initiative under this transformation is the Agricultural Mechanisation and Outgrower Programme, which is equipping farming clusters across the state with tractors, harvesters, planters, and other modern implements. The programme has expanded cultivated land, eased labour shortages, and significantly encouraged youth participation in agribusiness. Hundreds of young people have received training in tractor assembly, operation, and contemporary farming techniques, creating new employment opportunities and building local technical capacity.
Spearheading the effective implementation of these reforms is the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Chief Dr. Benjamin Ashaver. Described as proactive, results-oriented, and deeply knowledgeable in modern agricultural systems, Dr. Ashaver has ensured that government policies translate into real, on-the-ground benefits for farmers. Under his stewardship, fertiliser distribution has been streamlined, farmer cooperatives strengthened, improved seed programmes expanded, and strategic partnerships with the private sector enhanced.
Dr. Ashaver’s firm conviction that agriculture should be treated as a viable business enterprise rather than mere subsistence farming is gradually reshaping the sector’s culture in Benue. Mechanisation, once aspirational, has become a visible reality in many communities, boosting efficiency and output.
Beyond short-term gains, the administration is integrating climate-smart agricultural practices and expanded irrigation systems to enable year-round farming and ensure long-term sustainability in the face of changing weather patterns. These measures are expected to guarantee consistent production and protect livelihoods against environmental risks.
With strong fiscal support from Governor Alia and dedicated execution led by Commissioner Ashaver, Benue is not only preserving its historic identity as the nation’s food basket but actively reinforcing it through innovation, structured investment, and inclusive growth. Food security in the state, once an aspiration, is increasingly becoming a deliberate and unfolding reality—delivering tangible improvements for farmers, rural economies, and households across Benue and beyond.
