BIPC urges Benue farmers to process oranges locally, warns against export

The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has issued a strong caution to citrus farmers in Benue State, Nigeria, advising them against transporting and selling their oranges outside the state. BIPC emphasizes that this practice poses a significant threat to the state's agro-industrialization efforts and its burgeoning local processing industries.

Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, Group Managing Director of BIPC, appealed to farmers to prioritize supplying their produce to the Bensono Concentrate Factory. He stated that the continuous export of raw oranges undermines the steady supply of essential raw materials needed by the Bensono factory and other citrus processing facilities established by the Benue State Government. Asemakaha highlighted the substantial investments made by the state in citrus processing, asserting that exporting raw produce while local industries struggle for inputs is no longer sustainable.

"The era of exporting our wealth in its raw form is over," Dr. Asemakaha declared. "Our priority is to create jobs, add value to our agricultural produce and build a sustainable industrial economy for Benue people. Every orange processed in Benue translates into employment opportunities, increased income for farmers and greater economic prosperity for the state."

BIPC assures citrus farmers of a guaranteed market and competitive prices for oranges supplied directly to the Bensono Concentrate Factory. The company also called upon traditional rulers, local government authorities, security agencies, and community leaders to support this campaign by encouraging farmers to patronize local processing industries. Protecting these state-established industries, Asemakaha noted, is a collective responsibility crucial for strengthening Benue's economy, generating employment, and fostering sustainable development. BIPC reaffirmed its commitment to Governor Hyacinth Alia's industrialization agenda, focusing on processing Benue's agricultural resources domestically to create wealth and accelerate economic growth.

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The era of exporting our wealth in its raw form is over. Our priority is to create jobs, add value to our agricultural produce and build a sustainable industrial economy for Benue people. Every orange processed in Benue translates into employment opportunities, increased income for farmers and greater economic prosperity for the state.