Benue Turns to Cassava as New Hope for Economic Growth

(Benue. Photo Credit: Channels Tv)

Benue State is working to make cassava farming its answer to crude oil for boosting the state economy.

Prince Joshua Apeh, who runs Green Harvest Stuffs, shared this vision at an event in Benue South where the company launched a cooperative for farmers.

He said the Benue South area produces the world's highest volume of cassava and should use this to transform Nigeria's fortunes.

According to Apeh, cassava has enormous potential. It can be processed into food products and materials for industry, and can be turned into bioethanol and biofuel to reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported fuel.

The problem so far is that there aren't enough processing facilities to let farmers get full value from what they grow.

The cooperative was set up to give farmers what they need - inputs, financing, mechanised equipment, and guaranteed markets so they don't have to struggle to sell after harvest.

About 3,000 farmers have already signed up, with more joining through the mobilisation programme.

Members will get access to loans, better cassava seedlings, fertilisers and tractor services.

Green Harvest currently produces 250,000 kilogrammes of garri monthly and 300,000 kilogrammes of flour.

They're planning a major bioethanol plant and livestock feed production.

The company is also tackling insecurity that has driven some farmers away from their land.

They've set up a situation room to monitor farms, provided motorcycles and vehicles for youth surveillance teams, and are planning to deploy drones and cameras linked to a central control centre to watch over agricultural areas day and night.

Community leaders and farmers praised the initiative, saying it's a chance for Idoma people to build a new future through cassava and gain global recognition.

They said better access to markets and farm support would encourage more people back to farming and boost production.