By Samuel Adzegeh, JP. Benue's Governor in waiting Prof. Terhemba Shija believes strongly that, with four major resources he identifies as agriculture, the River Benue, human resources and solid minerals resources, Benue is simply too blessed to be poor. The candidate of the NDC in the 2027 governorship election believes that the State is a modern day version of the biblical Canaan literally flowing with what is today's equivalent of milk and honey. Thus, he is strongly of the view that the State is too blessed to be poor. 1. AGRICULTURE: With an intimidating 30,800 square kilometres of rich arable land, Benue State provides agricultural opportunities for its teeming population, 75% of which actively engage in farming and other agricultural activities. In his manifesto which has captured Benue people's imagination, Shija says he believes strongly that, "The strength of the economy of Benue State should be derived from agriculture." He however expresses regret that the State's farmers are only able to utilize only about 36% of that vast arable land and, since they hardly engage in dry season irrigation, they harvest only once a year. "In spite of that," he points out, "Benue State is still the nation's leading producer of casava, yams, soya beans, and citrus. It is also a major grower of beni seed, rice, groundnuts and melon. "Benue farmers," Shija further points out, "grow over 20 different crops like potatoes, ginger, cocoyam, pepper, millet, sorghum, tomatoes, groundnuts, maize as well as tree crops like oil palm, cashew, mangoes, ogbono, kolanut, pear and shea butter" which he says are "mostly practised by peasant farmers on small farms using hoe-cutlass technology, low capitalization, which subsequently results in low yield per hectares and fewer domestic livestock." He discloses that, "The viability of Benue State in crop production can be attested to by NBS data which has it that even as far back as 2019, Benue State came first among the 36 states in casava production with 3.54 million metric tons as well first in citrus production with about 3.84 metric tons. In the same year, Benue was placed second in yam production with 2.87 million tons, second in soya beans with 900,000 metric tons and fourth in rice production with 3.74 million metric tons." Shija posits that, "With a population of more than two hundred million people, Nigeria needs to ensure its food security through massive food production", and stresses that, "The contribution of agriculture to economic growth lies in providing food, increasing foreign earnings for the export of manufactured goods, increasing social income, providing productive employment and improving welfare." With unshakeable confidence, he asserts that, "Benue farmers have the potential to feed the entire population of Nigeria, but lack the infrastructure, financing, training, technology, legal structure and other key inputs to produce at that level." So, what does he intend to do about the poor state of agriculture in Benue State when he takes over as Governor come 2027? Keep a date with me. - Adzegeh is Special Adviser (Media) to Prof. Shija.

Posted: 2months ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 18 October 2026