Maureen Okpe
The Benue State Government has officially launched a Pilot Scheme of the Agricultural Mechanization Outgrower Programme, a significant initiative designed to restore the state’s pride as Nigeria’s leading food hub.
The launch ceremony, according to a statement on Thursday, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Tersoo Kula took place at the headquarters of the Bureau for Agricultural Development and Mechanization in Makurdi, with key stakeholders in agriculture and agribusiness, including private sector partners and farmer.
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Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Barr. Sam Ode, announced that the pilot scheme will directly benefit 10 farm clusters, covering about 300 farmers, who will receive access to tractors, improved seeds, inputs, and structured markets.
The Governor commended farmers for their resilience and assured that the government is committed to providing necessary support.
He noted that the presence of credible private partners, such as Alhaji Mohammed Yaro of Mass International, will make mechanization affordable and accessible.
“By dealing directly with manufacturers, the costs of these machines will be significantly reduced, making it easier for the government to provide subsidies,” he said.
In a symbolic gesture, the Governor presented the first tractor key to the President of the Benue State Farmers Cooperative Federation, describing the programme as a “gateway to prosperity and self-sufficiency.”
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Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Benjamin Ashaver, said the programme is a practical step toward transforming agriculture in Benue.
He emphasized that the scheme is designed not only to increase yields but also to create wealth and opportunities, especially for women and young people.
Representative of Mass International, Alhaji Mohammed Yaro, reaffirmed his company’s commitment to supporting the Governor’s vision.
He disclosed plans to establish a tractor assembly and innovation hub in Benue, which is expected to create 5,000 jobs and empower thousands of farmers.
The programme aims to strengthen smallholder cooperatives and create a revenue model that enables farmers to offset costs by offering mechanized services commercially. With over 120,000 farmers already captured in the programme’s database, the initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s agricultural sector.