To reclaim Benue State’s status as Nigeria’s leading food hub, the state government has inaugurated the Pilot Scheme of the Agricultural Mechanization Outgrower Program.
According to a statement on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, the launch, held on Wednesday at the Bureau for Agricultural Development and Mechanization headquarters in Makurdi, drew participation from key agricultural stakeholders, private sector partners, and farmer representatives.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Bureau for Agricultural Development and Mechanization, Mass International, Equipment Nigeria Limited, and SABASPAC International Limited, under the Benue Agribusiness and Mechanization Centre (BAMC).
Speaking at the event on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Deputy Governor Barr. Sam Ode announced that the pilot phase would cover 10 farm clusters, directly benefitting about 300 farmers.
Beneficiaries will gain access to tractors, improved seeds, farm inputs, and structured markets.
The governor commended the resilience of Benue farmers and assured them of continued government support.
He stressed that partnerships with credible private players such as Alhaji Mohammed Yaro of Mass International would make mechanization more affordable and accessible.
“By dealing directly with manufacturers, the cost of these machines will be significantly reduced, enabling 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 program as a gateway to prosperity and self-sufficiency.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Benjamin Ashaver, described the scheme as a practical step towards transforming agriculture in the state.
He highlighted its potential to boost yields, create wealth, and open opportunities for women and youth.
Mohammed Yaro, representing Mass International, reaffirmed his company’s commitment to the program and announced plans to establish a tractor assembly and innovation hub in Benue, a project expected to create 5,000 jobs and empower thousands of farmers.
“This goes beyond assembling tractors; it is about building a hub for innovation, training, and job creation,” Yaro said.
Similarly, Mr. Elias Ameh of SABASPAC International Limited unveiled the Outgrower Cluster Farm model, designed to strengthen smallholder cooperatives.
He disclosed that over 120,000 farmers are already captured in the program’s database, with the first phase involving 14 cooperatives representing more than 360 farmers.
A revenue-sharing model, he explained, would allow farmers to offset costs by offering mechanized services commercially.
Representatives of the Senior Cooperative Farmers Federation welcomed the initiative, praising the government’s inclusive approach and appealing for further subsidies on tractors and inputs to ease farmers’ transition to mechanized farming.
“We want to return Benue to its rightful place as the food basket of the nation,” the representative said.
