Makurdi, June 4, 2026 – Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has described the newly established orange processing facility in the state as a significant advancement for farmers and a boost to the agricultural sector.
The governor made this known after inspecting the Benfruits Juice Factory, the Benval Juice Factory, and locally assembled motorcycles in Makurdi ahead of their official commissioning.
The facilities, developed by the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), include the Benfruits plant, which produces juice concentrates, and the Benval factory, which manufactures finished juice products.
Reports also indicate that the motorcycles were assembled in collaboration with a Chinese firm under a partnership facilitated by BIPC.
Alia said the projects are designed to provide a stable market for farm produce while significantly reducing post-harvest losses across the state.
He explained that the factories would process crops such as oranges, tomatoes, peppers, pineapples, and other agricultural produce into value-added goods, thereby increasing farmers’ income and creating wealth within rural communities.
The governor expressed optimism about the potential of the facilities, noting that several major companies had already shown interest in partnering with the operations.
He added that the state government would soon announce dates for the formal commissioning of the factories and other completed projects.
According to him, the initiative would be a turning point for farmers, offering guaranteed demand for their produce and reducing dependence on middlemen who previously controlled pricing.
Alia said the development would ensure farmers receive fairer value while making processed agricultural products more widely available to consumers.
He further noted that the project complements other agro-industrial initiatives in the state, including a beer production facility that relies on locally sourced raw materials.
The governor expressed confidence that these investments would stimulate agricultural production, create employment opportunities, strengthen the state’s economy, and improve livelihoods.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, said the juice concentrate and processing projects were aimed at adding value to agricultural output, reducing wastage, and improving farmers’ earnings.
He explained that the plants would process oranges, mangoes, tomatoes, peppers, and other crops into finished goods, ensuring a reliable market for farmers and eliminating exploitation by intermediaries.
Asemakaha added that the projects form part of the government’s broader strategy for inclusive economic growth and wealth creation in the state.
He noted that the governor’s inspection visit was to assess readiness ahead of commissioning, with only minor finishing work remaining before full operations commence.
He further disclosed that the state aims to position Benue as a key player in the juice concentrate export market and a major price influencer for agricultural produce in Nigeria.
The BIPC chief also revealed that an audit of the existing tomato processing plant showed that over N14 billion would be required for full rehabilitation.
To address this, he said a tomato concentrate line had been integrated into the new facility to ensure continuous demand for tomato farmers.
He added that BIPC was also assembling branded motorcycles to improve transportation of farm produce from rural areas and enhance farm access.
According to him, a database of about 5,862 verified farmers has been compiled to benefit directly from the off-take arrangement, reducing reliance on middlemen.
Asemakaha stated that the factory is expected to create at least 500 direct jobs upon commencement, alongside numerous indirect opportunities across the agricultural value chain.