By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Benue State Government has endorsed a five-year Strategic Food Security Plan aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening food systems and addressing challenges affecting food production across the state.
The plan was presented during a stakeholder engagement under the theme, “Enhancing Food Security and Peacebuilding in Nigeria through Strategic Planning Project,” which brought together farmers, academics and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Government Urges Stakeholders to Implement Plan
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Benjamin Ashaver, urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local government councils, traditional institutions and farmers to take ownership of the strategy and ensure its implementation across communities.
Ashaver, who was represented by the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Danjuma Adejo, said the state had adopted the five-year development plan as part of efforts to strengthen its agricultural sector.
He reaffirmed Governor Hyacinth Alia’s commitment to implementing the strategy, including a mid-term review in 2028 and an end-term evaluation in 2031.
The commissioner also commended the Policy Team of the Supply Chain, Research and Innovation Hub, led by Mr Ajibola Oladipo and Dr Shalem Shiekuma, for their contribution to developing the plan.
Ashaver said insecurity had significantly affected agricultural activities in Benue, with attacks on farming communities displacing farmers and resulting in the destruction and loss of crops.
“Benue State’s agricultural fortunes have, in recent years, been tested by forces beyond the ordinary challenges of farming,” he said.
He noted that displacement had disrupted planting and harvesting seasons, while land-use conflicts between herders and farming communities had weakened relationships and affected rural livelihoods.
Plan Targets Food Production Challenges
Presenting the Strategic Food Security Plan to the state government, Dr Akange Edward said the policy was designed to address the structural challenges affecting Benue’s food system.
According to him, the plan seeks to stabilise the agricultural production environment, improve land governance, rebuild inclusive rural economies and strengthen logistics and market reliability.
Edward expressed concern over recurring attacks on farmers by criminal armed groups, saying the challenges facing Benue’s agricultural sector went beyond low productivity.
He said the state was dealing with structural weaknesses at the intersection of food production, insecurity and conflict dynamics.
“Benue State is celebrated as the Food Basket of the Nation. With fertile land, abundant water resources and a resilient farming population, it has historically anchored Nigeria’s food economy,” Edward said.
He, however, noted that insecurity, displacement, land-use conflicts, climate pressures and deteriorating infrastructure had combined to weaken agricultural stability and rural livelihoods.
Stakeholders to Drive Implementation
The organisers said the strategic plan was developed to provide a coordinated framework for addressing the challenges confronting agriculture and food security in the state.
The government called on stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to work together in implementing the plan and sustaining partnerships required to improve food production and strengthen rural communities.
The initiative is expected to support Benue’s agricultural potential while addressing the security, infrastructure, land governance and market challenges affecting farmers and food production across the state.
Share this
