300 Benue Farmers Receive Improved Vegetable Seeds

At least 300 smallholder farmers in Benue State received improved vegetable seeds, including spinach and okra, during the annual free seed distribution programme organized by the Teryima and Msurshima Foundation in Makurdi. Vitalis Targnongu, CEO of the foundation, stated that the initiative aims to strengthen the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by providing high-yielding foundation seeds that improve productivity and increase earnings.

The seeds distributed were first-generation foundation seeds produced from breeder seeds obtained from research institutes. Targnongu noted that farmers benefiting from the programme have consistently recorded higher yields, allowing many households to produce enough vegetables for family consumption and sell the surplus for income.

Mrs Serumun Aber, Secretary to the Benue State Government, represented by Akor Abiem, emphasized the initiative's alignment with the state government's agricultural goals. Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Benjamin Ashaver, represented by Tersoo Akor, urged beneficiaries to adopt climate-smart farming practices.

Chief Dominic Akpe described the programme as a significant investment in rural agriculture, while Mrs Veronica Guma from SWOFON highlighted its positive impact on women farmers.