Benue Governor Alia Launches Agricultural Transformation Plan

On Thursday, during the official flag-off of the 2026 fertilizer farm input sale distribution exercise at the Benue Fertilizer Blend Plant in Makurdi, Gov. Hyacinth Iormem Alia pledged his administration's commitment to large-scale agricultural transformation in Benue State.

He announced that fertilizer would be sold to farmers at a subsidized rate of ₦28,000 per bag, with the government covering the subsidy to alleviate costs for smallholder farmers. Gov.

Alia described this initiative as a deliberate policy aimed at boosting food security and expanding cultivated farmland. The distribution exercise will cover 23 local government areas and is part of a broader agricultural agenda that includes rural road development, irrigation expansion, and agro-processing initiatives to reduce post-harvest losses.

Hon. Dr. Benjamin Ashav, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized the enforcement of mechanisms to prevent the distribution of substandard fertilizers and warned against malpractice.