Benue State is set to ensure that it’s comparative advantage of agricultural produce is made an alternative to crude oil to boost the economy of the state.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Green Harvest Stuffs, Prince Joshua Apeh stated this at the weekend during the Farmers Awareness and Mobilisation Programme and the flag-off of the Green Harvest Cooperative Society in Benue South Senatorial District organised by Green Harvest Store located in Otukpo, Benue State.
Prince Apeh observed that the Benue South senatorial district is blessed with cassava products which could serve as Nigeria’s new “crude oil” to transform the nation’s economy and guarantee food security.
Apeh said huge investment in cassava production and processing in Benue South would accelerate job creation and economic transformation.
He noted that Idoma land which produces the highest volume of cassava in the world is ready to lead a new agro-industrial chapter for Nigeria, stressing that farmers, government and other stakeholders must take advantage of the region’s agricultural potential.
According to Apeh, “Benue South had enormous cassava resources capable of supporting large-scale industries, but lamented that the absence of adequate processing facilities had prevented farmers from maximising the economic value of their produce.
“Our cassava is our crude oil. Just as crude oil transformed the fortunes of nations, cassava can transform the fortunes of our people if we are willing to invest in it, process it, add value to it and take it to the global market.
“This is a new dawn for the people of Idoma and for Nigeria. With the capacity we have here, we can end hunger in Nigeria and across West Africa, just as crude oil once changed the fortunes of this nation.
“Green Harvest Food Stuffs is strategically positioned to sustain millions of Nigerians and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“Our region could become a major carbohydrate and renewable-energy hub if its agricultural resources were properly harnessed ,” Apeh remarked extensively.
