Benue plans to revive farming in 2025 as security improves

The Benue State Government has announced plans to boost food production through an intensified farming campaign in 2025.

The government stated that collaboration with the presidency would provide farmers with access to essential resources, enabling the state to build on recent successes in combating food insecurity.

The State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, disclosed this to State House correspondents during a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday evening.

“This year, we’re returning to the farms 100 per cent. Benue does not need to talk about food insecurity at all. Instead, we should be supporting the President to ensure that all the states grappling with food insecurity are strongly supported by Benue,” Alia said.

The Governor emphasised that, as an agrarian state, Benue has intensified efforts to encourage its citizens to return to farming.

He recalled that, during the campaign period, Vice President Shettima, then the running mate to President Bola Tinubu, had promised to provide Benue with tractors and farm inputs. According to Alia, this promise has been fulfilled, enabling the state to live up to its reputation as the “food basket of the nation.”

“The President has been supporting us significantly, as has the Vice President. Occasionally, I provide them with updates on our farming progress. With the support we’ve received, we’re making remarkable strides. I’m confident we’ll achieve 100 per cent farm engagement in the state this season,” he affirmed.

On security, the Governor highlighted a recent initiative in which the state government provided 100 Toyota trucks to various security agencies, including local vigilante groups and mainstream security forces.

Benue State, known as the “food basket of the nation,” has experienced a significant decline in agricultural output in recent years due to persistent farmer-herder conflicts. These clashes forced many farmers to abandon their farms, resulting in reduced cultivation of staple crops and a sharp decline in yields.

Alia noted that residents have been urged to remain vigilant and support the primary security apparatus. This approach, he explained, has led to a noticeable return of peace across the state, contributing to a thriving farming season and culminating in what he described as a “bumper harvest” in 2024.

“Three and a half weeks ago, we launched a programme to support our security apparatuses. We provided 100 Toyota trucks to security groups and mainstream agencies. Our people at home must remain alert and support our primary security personnel. Relative peace is returning to Benue, and we’re quite happy about this. Farming activities have also increased significantly since last year.

“Many people returned to their farms, and we recorded a bumper harvest, something we hadn’t seen in years. Some farmers are still harvesting, and we aim to surpass these achievements this season. Even in terms of insecurity, it’s gradually declining,” he said.

Although the Governor acknowledged that eliminating insecurity entirely is unlikely, he asserted that Benue has witnessed a marked reduction in major violence.

“Insecurity never goes away entirely, so there may still be occasional skirmishes. However, we rarely hear of large-scale deaths or disturbances anymore. That’s where we are,” he added.