Benue will leverage agriculture to cut Nigeria’s N68bn fruit concentrates’ imports

…Inspects state-owned Benfruits, Benva factories

Raymond Asemakaha, Group Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) has said Benue State will harness and optimise its thribing agribusiness and agro-processing factories to add value to its abundant agricultural produce, especially fruits and vegetables to save Nigeria about N68 billion spent on the importation of fruit concentrates abroad.

He added that the Benue State Government, through its subsidiaries and agro-processing factories, including Bensoro Concentrate Plant and Benva Juice Factory, would process and add value to fruits and vegetables, especially oranges, mangoes, pineapples and tomatoes, as part of efforts to end post-harvest losses and stop the importation of fruit concentrates by offering the Country locally-made alternatives.

Asemakaha, who conducted Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State round Bensono Concentrate Plant and Benva Juice Factory located at Industrial Layout, Makurdi, noted that the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) had indicated Nigeria imported about N68 billion worth of fruit concentrates in 2025, saying the Benue State would assist Nigeria in cutting the whopping amount of money spent on importing fruit concentrates.

He said, “The projects were designed to tackle the persistent challenge of post-harvest losses while creating jobs and generating revenue for the State. Benue has abundant fruits like oranges, mangoes, pineapples, among so many others, and there is no reason the State should continue importing what it can produce locally.

Our goal is to substitute imports and eventually export our concentrates to the international market. Economic growth must be inclusive, and these projects are built around an inclusive model that directly benefits farmers.”

He stated that both factories are fully completed and ready to commence production immediately after inauguration, saying: “Our factories are ready. We are only awaiting the official commissioning. Once that is done, full production will commence. We believe these facilities will change the economic landscape of Benue State.”

Asemakaha lamented that for many years, Benue farmers produced raw agricultural commodities that were transported out of the State, creating wealth and jobs elsewhere.

“For years, our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters have laboured to grow produce that others use to build their economies and industries. We are determined to stop that trend by ensuring that value addition takes place here in Benue,” he said.

He further revealed that the orange concentrate to be produced at the Benfruits Plant would target both local and international markets, expressing confidence that the factories would position Benue as a leading producer of fruit concentrates and processed beverages in Nigeria, while creating employment for thousands of residents.

He said the projects formed part of Governor Alia’s industrialisation and investment agenda aimed at boosting local production, creating jobs, increasing internally generated revenue, and unlocking the State’s vast agricultural potential.

Governor Alia, during the inspection, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done and the readiness of the facilities ahead of official inauguration.

The governor, who was accompanied by Alfred Emberga, Speaker of the 10th Benue State House of Assembly, described the projects as major milestones in the State’s industrialisation drive and efforts to transform Benue from a predominantly-agrarian economy into a hub for agro-processing and manufacturing.

Governor Alia commended the management of BIPC led by Asemakaha for delivering the projects within record time.

“It is exciting to hear and see that the companies are ready for commissioning. This fourth year is our year of commissioning, and I am hopeful that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will graciously come and commission these projects for us.

“Very soon, we shall begin the commissioning of all the projects embarked upon by my Administration”, Governor Alia said.

He noted that the establishment of the Bensono Concentrate Plant and Benva Juice Factory would significantly reduce post-harvest losses, a challenge that has long affected fruit farmers

He said, “The factories will provide a ready market for locally produced fruits, improve farmers’ incomes, and stimulate economic activities across the agricultural value chain”

“Our farmers have suffered greatly over the years. Almost every family has an orchard farm, but buyers often come from outside the state and dictate prices that do not reflect the true value of the farmers’ hard work. These factories will change that narrative.

He urged farmers to increase production in anticipation of the factories’ operations, assuring them that the State Government is committed to creating sustainable markets for their produce.

“Buyers can still purchase our oranges, but the process will now be more controlled and beneficial to our people. Whether through concentrates or juice production, the value will remain within the state. It is a win-win situation for our farmers and the economy of Benue State,”

BusinessDay reports that the governor also inspected 525 motorcycles assembled by BIPC under a partnership arrangement between the Benue State Government and a Chinese firm. The partnership was initiated during Governor Alia’s investment mission to the People’s Republic of China in 2024.