Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has inaugurated a pilot scheme for an Agricultural Mechanisation Outgrower Programme, an initiative designed to reclaim the state’s position as Nigeria’s food basket.
The governor in a statement by Tersoo Kula, his Chief Press Secretary on Thursday said the programme, which was launched at the Bureau for Agricultural Development and Mechanisation headquarters, is a collaboration between the state government, Mass International, and SABASPAC International, operating under the Benue Agribusiness and Mechanisation Centre (BAMC).
Alia, represented by his deputy Sam Ode, launched the scheme. The pilot phase will provide 10 farm clusters, consisting of approximately 300 farmers, with access to tractors, improved seeds, and structured markets.
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Alia praised the resilience of the state’s farmers and assured them of the government’s full support.
He highlighted that the involvement of private partners, like Alhaji Mohammed Yaro of Mass International, would make mechanisation more affordable by reducing the cost of machinery through direct procurement from manufacturers.
In a symbolic gesture, the governor handed the first tractor key to the President of the Benue State Farmers Cooperative Federation, calling the program a “gateway to prosperity and self-sufficiency.”
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Benjamin Ashaver, described the programme as a practical step towards transforming agriculture, aiming to increase yields and create opportunities for women and youth.
Yaro of Mass International reaffirmed his company’s commitment to the project and announced plans to establish a tractor assembly and innovation hub in Benue.
This new facility is expected to create 5,000 jobs and empower thousands of farmers.
Meanwhile, Elias Ameh of SABASPAC International explained that their Outgrower Cluster Farm model, built on research, aims to strengthen smallholder cooperatives.
He noted that over 120,000 farmers are already in the program’s database, with the initial phase involving 14 cooperatives representing more than 360 farmers.
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The plan includes a revenue model allowing farmers to offer mechanised services commercially to offset their costs.
A representative from the Senior Cooperative Farmers Federation thanked the government for its inclusive leadership and requested subsidies on tractors and farm inputs to help farmers transition to modern methods.
