31/01/2025
Benue Agro-Industrial Bureau DG Advocates for Modern Agriculture Practices
The State Project Coordinator of Benue ACReSAL, Bldr. Victor Ama received Pharm. Peter Chieshe, the newly appointed Director General of the Benue Agro-Industrial Processing and Economic Transformation Bureau (BNAGRO) recently paid a courtesy visit to his office.
During the visit, DG Chieshe emphasized that the Bureau's primary mission is to modernize agriculture in the region. He stated, "We are charged with jump-starting agro-industrial production and delivering economic transformation. Agriculture is interwoven with processing. Farmers do not capture the true value of their produce; it is agro-industrial processing where the wealth lies."
Pharm. Chieshe warned that relying solely on the sale of raw agricultural materials would perpetuate poverty among farmers, urging for a shift towards enhancing value through processing.
In response, State Project Coordinator Bldr. Victor Ama expressed gratitude for the visit and reiterated ACReSAL's commitment to fostering partnerships with relevant state agencies. "As outlined in Component C of our initiative, which focuses on institutional strengthening, collaborations like this are essential for ensuring food security and uplifting the standard of living for our people," Ama remarked.
Bldr. Ama maintained that Strengthening institutions involved in agriculture will enhance resilience and adaptability in the sector, ultimately benefiting the community and the economy of the State, and further tasked the new Director General to explore partnerships with key players in the agricultural sector to enhance development and sustainability.
He underscored the importance of creating an enabling environment to support agricultural policies and initiatives. The meeting marks a significant step toward enhancing the agricultural sector in Benue State, with both leaders agreeing on the necessity of integrating agro-industrial practices to bolster economic growth and improve the livelihoods of local farmers.
As the state continues to seek innovative solutions for its agricultural challenges, the partnership between BNAGRO and ACReSAL reflects a proactive approach to revitalizing agriculture in Benue State through collaboration, modernization, and strategic planning.
