Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State says the newly established orange processing factory is a major breakthrough for farmers and the agricultural sector.
Alia stated this after inspecting the Benfruits Juice Factory, Benval Juice Factory, and some motorcycles assembled in Makurdi ahead of commissioning.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Benfruits Juice Factory produces concentrates, Benval Juice Factory produces finished juice products.
They were built by Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC).
NAN also reports that the motorcycles are also assembled in the state through the partnership of the state government and a Chinese company through BIPC.
Governor Alia said the facilities would provide a ready market for agricultural produce and drastically reduce post-harvest losses.
He added that the facilities would process oranges, tomatoes, peppers, pineapples, and other farm produce into value-added products, creating wealth and improving the incomes of farmers across the state.
The governor expressed optimism about the factory’s prospects, disclosing that major companies had already shown interest in partnering with its management.
According to him, the state government will soon announce dates for the commissioning of the factories and other completed projects.
He said: “This facility is going to be a game changer for our farmers.
“It will provide a reliable market for agricultural produce, reduce losses and ensure that farmers get better value for their efforts.”
Alia noted that orange farmers in the state had for years been at the mercy of middlemen who purchased their produce at low prices and reaped huge profits elsewhere.
He said the processing plant would enable farmers to earn more from their produce while ensuring the availability of fresh oranges, juice concentrates and other processed products for consumers.
The governor further stated that the project complements other agro-industrial investments by the state government, including the beer production factory that relies on locally sourced agricultural raw materials.
He expressed confidence that the establishment of such industries would stimulate agricultural production, create jobs, boost the state’s economy and improve the welfare of farmers.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director (GMD) Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, said investment in juice concentrate and processing factories would add value to agricultural produce, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
Asemakaha explained that the facilities would process oranges, mangoes, tomatoes, peppers, and other crops into finished products, thereby creating a dependable market for farmers and eliminating the exploitation often associated with middlemen.
He said the projects were part of the government’s broader strategy for inclusive economic growth and wealth creation.
According to him, the governor’s visit was to assess the readiness of the facilities ahead of commissioning, noting that only minor finishing touches remained before operations begin.
“We want Benue to become a major player in the juice concentrate export market and a price setter for oranges and other agricultural products in Nigeria,” he said.
The BIPC boss disclosed that an audit of the state’s existing tomato processing plant showed that more than N14 billion would be required for full rehabilitation.
To address the challenge, he said a tomato concentrate production line had been incorporated into the new facility to guarantee a ready market for tomato farmers.
Asemakaha also revealed that BIPC was assembling motorcycles branded by the company to support produce evacuation from rural communities and improve access to farms.
He said the company had already compiled a database of about 5,862 genuine farmers who would benefit directly from the off-take arrangement, thereby reducing the influence of middlemen.
The Managing Director added that the juice processing factory was expected to create at least 500 direct jobs upon commencement while generating numerous opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
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