By Samson Adeyanju
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has restated his administration’s determination to achieve full agricultural mechanisation, beginning with the dry-season farming programme scheduled for December 2025.
The governor made the commitment on Monday during an inspection tour of the Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanisation, where he assessed ongoing work at the state’s tractor and equipment assembly plant.
Governor Alia inspected 41 newly assembled tractors of varying capacities from 25hp to 95hp, as well as complementary farm implements including combine harvesters, threshers, planters, fertilizer applicators, excavators, and yam mounders.
He reaffirmed the state’s resolve to sustain its Public-Private Partnership with Mass International and Equipment Nigeria Limited (SABASPAC Int’l Ltd), a collaboration initiated by the Bureau for Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, led by Ms Benita Shuluwa, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Agribusiness Mechanisation Centre operates within the bureau’s premises.
Alia said the partnership is already delivering results, with more than 900 youths trained in tractor assembly and modern farming practices.
He also inspected demonstration farms showcasing improved seedlings of papaya, cocoa, rice, and oil palm.
The governor directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security to immediately designate all government-owned farmlands for planting improved varieties of oranges, mangoes, guinea corn, wheat, barley, and sorghum.
He urged farmers across the state to take advantage of the improved seedlings available at the Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanisation, emphasising that quality inputs remain central to his administration’s agricultural transformation agenda.
