Alia, firm sign MoU for $530m agro-industrial estate in Benue
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AGROBENUE Industrial Development (ABID), to invest up to $530 million on an integrated agro-industrial estate in the state.
The governor said the investment would be a significant milestone in the state’s journey towards sustainable agricultural transformation and economic prosperity.
The Peoples Daily reports that the MoU was signed on Monday with the AGROBENUE team led by Prince Henry Erimodafe and the Isu Remote Sensing and Algorithm Team led by Prof. Badaru Usman.
He said that the engagement was in line with the recognition that the future of agriculture lies not only in production but in value addition, processing, industrialization and market expansion.
” It is therefore the policy direction of this administration to transform agriculture from subsistence farming into a modern, commercial, and industrial sector that will drive economic growth, create employment, and enhance food security.”
Alia pointed out that the proposed investment of approximately $530 million in the integrated agro-industrial estate represents a major boost to the government’s development strategy.
He said, “Our vision is to position Benue State as a leading agro-industrial hub in Nigeria and West Africa, where agricultural products are processed, packaged, and exported with global standards”.
“This project aligns directly with the key pillars of our administration, particularly in economic revitalization, agricultural transformation, youth empowerment, and sustainable development,” he added .
The governor noted that Agriculture has been the backbone of the Benue economy, with the prosperity of rural communities largely dependant on the productivity and value of what farmers produce.
“Through this partnership, we are moving beyond traditional farming methods to establish a complete agricultural value chain from production to processing, storage, logistics, and market access.
“The benefits of this initiative will be far-reaching. The establishment of this agro-industrial estate will generate employment opportunities across multiple sectors, including agriculture, processing, logistics, warehousing, transportation, equipment maintenance, and administration.
“Thousands of our youths will gain meaningful employment, while many local businesses will benefit from expanded supply chains and service opportunities.
“Our farmers produce yam, cassava, grains, soybeans, rice, and several other crops in large quantities. Yet much of this product leaves our state without value addition. With modern processing facilities, these crops will be transformed into higher-value products such as starch, flour, and other industrial inputs. This will significantly increase farmers’ incomes while strengthening the local economy,” he said.
The governor noted that by investing in modern storage facilities, cold chains, and logistics systems, the problem of post-harvest losses will reduce, thereby stabilising food supply and affordability.
“With improved quality assurance, certification, and efficient logistics systems, Benue will be better positioned to compete in regional and international markets. This will attract further investment and reinforce our reputation as a leader in agro-industrial development.”
Alia expressed the belief that increase in industrial activities, will lead to the growth of the economy through new businesses, employment opportunities, and expanded commercial activities.
He added that it would strengthen government revenue and enable further investments in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
He said, “I am particularly pleased to note that the land survey for the project has already been completed, and the necessary documentation is available. This represents an important technical milestone and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that this project moves forward on a solid foundation.
“The MoU establishes a Steering and Technical Committee involving key stakeholders and agencies, including Lands, Justice, Agriculture, and other relevant institutions. This committee will work closely with our partners to ensure smooth implementation, timely approvals and transparent reporting as the project progresses .
“In the coming weeks and months, the focus will be on completing the necessary technical and legal processes that will enable the project to move rapidly into its implementation of phase. Our administration remains fully committed to providing the enabling environment required for this investment to succeed,” he said.
