Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has reaffirmed his commitment to positioning the state as a leading agro industrial hub in Nigeria and across West Africa, following the signing of a $530 million Memorandum of Understanding for the development of the AgroBenue Industrial Hub.
The governor stated that the agreement reflects his administration’s vision to transform the agricultural landscape of the state beyond primary production. He explained that the initiative is designed to ensure that agricultural produce is not only cultivated in large quantities but also processed, packaged and exported in line with global standards.
According to him, the project represents a decisive step toward reshaping the agricultural economy of Benue, which has long been regarded as the nation’s food basket. He noted that while the state has maintained its reputation for food production, the current administration is focused on deepening value addition, expanding markets and driving industrial scale processing.
Alia described the MoU as a strategic move rather than a ceremonial undertaking, adding that the proposed investment of about $530 million dollars in an integrated agro industrial estate aligns with key priorities of his government, including economic revitalisation, youth empowerment and sustainable development.
Addressing the AgroBenue team led by Prince Henry Erimodafe alongside the Isu Remote Sensing and Algorithm Team headed by Professor Badaru Usman, the governor stressed that agriculture remains central to the state’s economy, with rural livelihoods closely tied to farm productivity and output value.
He explained that the new partnership will establish a comprehensive agricultural value chain covering production, processing, storage, logistics and market access. This, he said, is expected to open up employment opportunities across multiple sectors such as processing, transportation, warehousing, equipment maintenance and administration.
The governor added that the initiative will create jobs for thousands of young people while also expanding opportunities for local businesses through stronger supply chains and service delivery networks.
He further pointed out that Benue farmers produce crops such as yam, cassava, rice, grains and soybeans in large volumes, yet much of this output leaves the state without undergoing any form of value addition. With the planned establishment of modern processing facilities, he said these commodities will be converted into higher value products including flour, starch and other industrial inputs, thereby boosting farmers’ earnings and strengthening the local economy.
Alia also drew attention to persistent post-harvest losses within Nigeria’s agricultural system, attributing the problem to inadequate storage and processing infrastructure. He said the planned investment in modern storage systems, cold chain facilities and improved logistics will help reduce waste, stabilise food supply and enhance affordability for consumers.
He maintained that the project marks an important milestone in Benue State’s journey toward sustainable agricultural transformation and long-term economic prosperity.
