The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has issued a formal warning to citrus farmers regarding the transport and sale of oranges to markets outside of Benue State. Officials state that this practice jeopardizes local efforts to boost agro-industrialization.
Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, the Group Managing Director, encouraged farmers to prioritize the Bensono Concentrate Factory for their harvest. He argued that the consistent removal of raw fruit depletes the supply chain necessary for state-run processing plants to operate successfully. According to Asemakaha, the government has invested significant resources into these facilities and cannot permit raw exports while local plants face shortages.
Highlighting the economic strategy, Asemakaha remarked that the period of exporting unprocessed wealth has concluded. He emphasized that processing oranges locally fosters job creation and increases farmer income. To support this shift, the BIPC promises competitive pricing for all produce delivered to the Bensono factory.
The initiative also calls for cooperation from community leaders, security personnel, and local government officials to urge growers to utilize regional facilities. These efforts align with the broader industrialization goals of Governor Hyacinth Alia, who aims to convert raw agricultural assets into sustainable growth and wealth for the region.
