2027: Benue too blessed to be poor – NDC guber candidate

In Benue State, Prof. Terhemba Shija, the National Democratic Congress' candidate for governor in the 2027 election, has proclaimed that the region possesses immense agricultural and economic potential to eradicate poverty. Speaking to reporters, Shija emphasized the importance of agriculture as the bedrock for Benue's economic growth, citing the state's vast arable land and diverse farming resources.

However, he lamented that only 36% of this fertile land is currently being used, indicating a significant underutilization of available agricultural resources. Shija also pointed out that farmers in the area are largely dependent on annual rainfall and perform only one harvest per year, as they lack access to dry-season irrigation facilities.

Despite this, Benue State continues to lead in the production of key crops like cassava, yams, soya beans, and citrus, as well as others such as beniseed, rice, groundnuts, and melon. The candidate highlighted that Benue farmers cultivate over 20 different varieties of crops, ranging from potatoes, ginger, and cocoyam to pepper, millet, sorghum, tomatoes, groundnuts, and maize.

In addition, tree crops such as oil palm, cashew, and mango are also grown in the state. However, Shija identified subsistence farming as a major obstacle to agricultural development in Benue, with many farmers using manual labor and facing financial constraints, resulting in low productivity and poor yields. He stressed that improving infrastructure, providing financing, offering training, and introducing modern farming technology could significantly boost production levels, enabling Benue farmers to feed the entire population of Nigeria.

Shija believes that unlocking the state's agricultural potential could not only create employment opportunities and improve the welfare of residents but also transform Benue into a stronger economic hub.