The Benue State Government has approved a comprehensive five-year Strategic Food Security Plan designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve food security and support sustainable rural development. The initiative aims to address longstanding challenges affecting the state’s agricultural sector, including insecurity, climate change and declining rural livelihoods.

Developed under the theme “Enhancing Food Security and Peacebuilding in Nigeria through Strategic Planning Project,” the strategy brings together government agencies, researchers, farming communities and private sector stakeholders to create a coordinated approach to agricultural development.

State Commits to Long-Term Agricultural Development

Speaking during the endorsement of the strategy, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, represented by the Governor’s Technical Adviser on Agriculture, Danjuma Adejo, reaffirmed the Benue State Government’s commitment to implementing the plan.

He urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local government authorities, traditional leaders and farming communities to actively participate in delivering the strategy at the grassroots level.

According to the commissioner, the food security framework aligns with the state’s broader five-year development agenda and includes a mid-term review in 2028 and a final evaluation in 2031 to monitor implementation and measure progress.

Strategy Targets Food Production and Rural Livelihoods

The new plan seeks to improve food production by strengthening agricultural value chains, enhancing land governance, rebuilding rural economies and improving access to agricultural markets.

The framework also focuses on improving agricultural logistics while creating a more stable environment for farming through stronger peacebuilding initiatives and better management of land-use conflicts.

Officials believe the strategy will provide a clear roadmap for restoring confidence in Benue’s agricultural sector and promoting long-term economic development.

Insecurity Remains a Major Challenge

State officials acknowledged that insecurity continues to pose one of the greatest threats to agricultural production across Benue.

Repeated attacks by armed herders have displaced thousands of farming households, disrupted planting and harvesting seasons and destroyed valuable farmland and crops.

The government noted that these challenges have weakened rural communities, reduced agricultural output and intensified conflicts between farming and pastoral communities, making food security interventions increasingly urgent.

Strategic Plan Builds Agricultural Resilience

Presenting the strategy, Dr. Akange Edward explained that the policy was developed to address the structural challenges affecting Benue’s food systems while strengthening resilience against insecurity and climate-related risks.

Although Benue remains widely recognised as Nigeria’s “Food Basket of the Nation” due to its fertile land, abundant water resources and strong agricultural potential, he said persistent insecurity, climate pressures, displacement and inadequate infrastructure have significantly reduced productivity in recent years.

The strategy aims to reverse these trends by creating a more resilient agricultural sector capable of supporting food production, rural employment and sustainable economic growth.

Strengthening Food Security Through Collaboration

The Benue State Government expressed confidence that successful implementation of the five-year strategy will improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and enhance the livelihoods of farming communities.

By promoting collaboration between government institutions, farmers, researchers and the private sector, the initiative is expected to build a more resilient agricultural system while contributing to lasting peace and inclusive economic development across the state.