Gov’t spends over 117 billion FCFA on Benue Valley project.

He was speaking while on a working visit to assess the level of accomplishment of the project.

He said the sumptuous expenditure is a demonstration of President Biya´s recognition of the area as a significant agricultural basin of the country, whose agricultural and livestock potentials must be exploited maximally. 

Since it was launched, the minister said a vast agricultural zone covering many kilometres has been irrigated, drainage systems constructed to keep unanticipated flooding and destruction of agricultural plots at bay, while agricultural output has also witnessed significant improvement.

He also disclosed that the first component of the project was aimed at improving efficiency, and ensuring durable and sustainable management of the water resources of the basin. The second component he said, has to do with providing different kinds of assistance to food crops farmers, especially those working within the perimeters of the Benue Valley basin.

He said government has through the project, provided farmers with inputs, eased their access to external financing, and smoothen relations between beneficiaries and funders. Through the project also, some rural economy management centres were created under the second component.

The third component of the project had to do with providing institutional assistance that led to the creation of training institutions so as to beef up the capacities and competencies of farmers. 

While the fourth component had to do with putting in place emergency response logistics, so that any unanticipated emergencies could be nipped in the bud.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3783 of Friday May 08, 2026