The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has described the AGROBENUE Industrial Development (ABID) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a major milestone in the state’s drive toward sustainable agricultural transformation and economic prosperity.
He made this known on Monday at the Government House during his address ahead of the signing of the MoU with the AGROBENUE team led by Prince Henry Erimodafe and the Isu Remote Sensing and Algorithm Team headed by Prof. Badaru Usman.
Reaffirming Benue’s status as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” the governor stressed that his administration is shifting focus from mere agricultural production to value addition, processing, industrialization, and market expansion.
According to him, the policy direction of his government is to transform agriculture from subsistence farming into a modern, commercial, and industrial sector capable of driving economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing food security.
Alia disclosed that the proposed investment of approximately $530 million in an integrated agro-industrial estate represents a significant boost to the state’s development strategy, noting that the MoU is not just ceremonial but a strategic step toward implementing his administration’s agricultural agenda.
“Our vision is to position Benue State as a leading agro-industrial hub in Nigeria and West Africa, where agricultural products are processed, packaged, and exported in line with global standards,” he said.
He added that the project aligns with key priorities of his administration, including economic revitalization, agricultural transformation, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
The governor emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of Benue’s economy, with rural prosperity closely tied to farm productivity and value creation.
He explained that the partnership would establish a complete agricultural value chain covering production, processing, storage, logistics, and market access.
Highlighting the benefits, Alia said the agro-industrial estate would generate employment across multiple sectors such as agriculture, processing, logistics, transportation, and administration, providing thousands of jobs for youths while boosting local businesses.
He further noted that although Benue farmers produce crops like yam, cassava, grains, soybeans, and rice in large quantities, much of the output currently leaves the state without value addition.
With modern processing facilities, he said, these crops would be converted into higher-value products such as starch and flour, thereby increasing farmers’ incomes and strengthening the local economy.
Addressing post-harvest challenges, the governor said investments in modern storage systems, cold chains, and logistics infrastructure would reduce wastage, stabilize food supply, and improve affordability.
He added that improved quality assurance, certification, and efficient logistics would position Benue to compete in regional and international markets, attracting further investments and reinforcing its leadership in agro-industrial development.
Governor Alia also assured that increased industrial activities would expand the formal economy, boost government revenue, and support further investments in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
He revealed that the land survey for the project has been completed, with all necessary documentation in place, describing it as a key technical milestone.
The MoU, he said, provides for the establishment of a Steering and Technical Committee comprising stakeholders from key ministries, including Lands, Justice, and Agriculture, to ensure smooth implementation, timely approvals, and transparency.
Alia added that in the coming months, attention would focus on completing technical and legal processes to fast-track the project into its first phase, assuring that his administration would provide the necessary enabling environment for its success.
