Benue Government Flags off N16.8bn Fertiliser Sale to boost Agriculture

 

 

 

Benue Government Flags Off ₦16.8bn Fertiliser Sale to Boost Agriculture

 

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday officially launched the sale of 9,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to farmers ahead of the 2025 cropping season. The flag-off ceremony took place at the Benue Fertiliser and Chemicals Company Factory, Industrial Layout, Naka Road, Makurdi.

Governor Alia stated that the 600 truckloads of fertilisers are valued at ₦16.8 billion, but the state government is providing a 50 per cent subsidy. Farmers will pay ₦22,500 per bag.

The governor explained that delays in fertiliser distribution last year were caused by irregular practices by some contractors. He assured genuine contractors that the ₦5 billion owed to them would be fully settled by the end of October.

“Under this intervention, the state has procured 9,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers – including NPK, urea, and SSP – with the government covering ₦8.1 billion as subsidy, making fertilisers affordable at ₦22,500 per bag. This initiative underscores our commitment to positioning agriculture as the bedrock of wealth creation in Benue,” he said.

To prevent abuses seen in previous years, Governor Alia announced the adoption of a cashless payment system. All transactions will be made through POS terminals at accredited centres, with payments going directly to suppliers. Cooperatives will submit detailed beneficiary lists, and divisional agricultural officers will supervise compliance.

He also revealed a new schedule for fertiliser sales: wet season distribution will take place between April and June, while dry season sales will occur between November and January annually.

Governor Alia further announced that from December 2025, no raw oranges will leave the state as the new fruit processing factory is set to enhance value addition and create jobs.

At the flag-off, 300 bags of fertiliser were donated to widows.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, encouraged farmers to make the most of both wet and dry season farming, adopt modern practices, and avoid black-market sales to boost yields.

The CEO of Star Fertiliser and Chemicals Company, Mr. Julius Ator, advised farmers to purchase fertilisers only from accredited sources to avoid substandard products. Traditional ruler of Makurdi, Chief Moses Anagende, expressed gratitude to the governor for subsidising fertilisers, making them more accessible to farmers.

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Fertiliser Sale to Boost Agriculture

 

 

 

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday officially launched the sale of 9,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to farmers ahead of the 2025 cropping season. The flag-off ceremony took place at the Benue Fertiliser and Chemicals Company Factory, Industrial Layout, Naka Road, Makurdi.

 

Governor Alia stated that the 600 truckloads of fertilisers are valued at ₦16.8 billion, but the state government is providing a 50 per cent subsidy. Farmers will pay ₦22,500 per bag.

 

The governor explained that delays in fertiliser distribution last year were caused by irregular practices by some contractors. He assured genuine contractors that the ₦5 billion owed to them would be fully settled by the end of October.

 

“Under this intervention, the state has procured 9,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers – including NPK, urea, and SSP – with the government covering ₦8.1 billion as subsidy, making fertilisers affordable at ₦22,500 per bag. This initiative underscores our commitment to positioning agriculture as the bedrock of wealth creation in Benue,” he said.

 

To prevent abuses seen in previous years, Governor Alia announced the adoption of a cashless payment system. All transactions will be made through POS terminals at accredited centres, with payments going directly to suppliers. Cooperatives will submit detailed beneficiary lists, and divisional agricultural officers will supervise compliance.

 

He also revealed a new schedule for fertiliser sales: wet season distribution will take place between April and June, while dry season sales will occur between November and January annually.

 

Governor Alia further announced that from December 2025, no raw oranges will leave the state as the new fruit processing factory is set to enhance value addition and create jobs.

 

At the flag-off, 300 bags of fertiliser were donated to widows.

 

In his remarks, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, encouraged farmers to make the most of both wet and dry season farming, adopt modern practices, and avoid black-market sales to boost yields.

 

The CEO of Star Fertiliser and Chemicals Company, Mr. Julius Ator, advised farmers to purchase fertilisers only from accredited sources to avoid substandard products. Traditional ruler of Makurdi, Chief Moses Anagende, expressed gratitude to the governor for subsidising fertilisers, making them more accessible to farmers.

 

 

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