FIC Report (Benue State) – The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Benue State Office, has intensified efforts to position Benue State as a major hub for agricultural export through the establishment of strategic sesame and soyabean export clusters across the state.
The State Coordinator of NEPC, Anne Adulugba, disclosed this during the first quarter meeting of the State Committee on Export Promotion held at the Conference Hall of the Benue State Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, State Secretariat, Makurdi.
Mrs. Adulugba explained that the initiative is designed to strengthen export capacity by bringing farmers together under organized clusters that will enable them participate effectively in international trade and access export opportunities that are often beyond the reach of individual producers.
According to her, the clusters are being established in key agricultural communities including Logo/Buruku, Gbajimba/Daudu in Guma Local Government Area, and Gwer East for sesame production, while a major soyabean cluster has also been created in Okpokwu Local Government Area.
She stated that the cluster arrangement would allow farmers to pool resources, aggregate produce in commercial quantities, and collectively manage export-related costs such as transportation, insurance, packaging, and logistics.
Mrs. Adulugba noted that many small-scale farmers possess quality produce but are unable to access export markets due to limited volumes and high operational costs. She added that through cooperative participation, farmers can now combine their produce to fill export containers and attract international buyers more competitively.
She further revealed that the clusters are currently on the verge of being formally registered as cooperative societies to provide legal backing for sustainable business operations and strengthen their participation in both local and international markets.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the State Committee on Export Promotion and Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Paul Ayila Agber, commended stakeholders for their commitment to the export development agenda in the state.
Mr. Agber urged the NEPC Benue State Office to sustain the training and empowerment of youths in export business, especially in the areas of sesame and soyabean value chains. He also charged members of the various sub-committees on project implementation, cooperative formation and operations, product value chain development, as well as monitoring and evaluation, to remain committed to achieving the objectives of the initiative.
Participants at the meeting engaged in extensive discussions on export promotion strategies, value addition, cooperative development, and market opportunities for Benue agricultural products in the global market.
The initiative is expected to boost non-oil exports, improve farmers’ incomes, encourage rural economic development, and strengthen Benue State’s contribution to Nigeria’s agricultural export sector.
Bridget Udoo Tarker
For Head of Centre
Federal Information Centre, Makurdi
