By Lanre Shodimu
A bold vision is emerging from Benue State—one that seeks to reposition Nigeria’s famed “Food Basket of the Nation” as a continental powerhouse in agriculture.
Governorship aspirant in Benue State, Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun, has declared that the state holds the capacity to feed not only Nigeria but the entire African continent—if its vast agricultural resources are strategically harnessed.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Kuraun outlined an ambitious roadmap for 2027, anchored on transforming Benue into a continental food hub through coordinated policies targeting agriculture, security, and governance.
“Benue has everything it takes to feed Africa. What has been lacking is a coordinated, value-driven approach that links production to processing and markets,” he said.
A native of Mbaduku in Vandeikya Local Government Area, Kuraun noted that although over 70 per cent of the state’s population is engaged in farming, output remains suboptimal due to a fragmented agricultural system.
To address this, he proposed a holistic value chain model that integrates production, storage, processing, transportation, and market access—an approach he believes will significantly cut post-harvest losses while boosting farmers’ incomes.
Central to his plan is the establishment of specialised agricultural hubs across local government areas, each tailored to its comparative advantage, alongside free trade zones aimed at attracting investment and scaling agro-industrial activities.
“We must move from subsistence farming to agro-industrialisation. That is how Benue can truly take its place as a food hub not just for Nigeria, but for Africa,” he added.
Kuraun, however, stressed that no meaningful agricultural transformation can occur without addressing insecurity, which he described as the greatest threat to farming in the state.
“Insecurity has made it difficult for farmers to access their lands. If we must feed Africa, we must first secure our communities,” he said, proposing a community-based security framework to provide real-time intelligence for law enforcement agencies.
Beyond agriculture, the aspirant unveiled a broader development agenda captured in the acronym “EASY-WIG”—Economy, Agriculture, Security, Youth Engagement, Women Empowerment, Infrastructure and Institutions, and Girl-Child Education—designed to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.
He also weighed in on internal dynamics within the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing optimism about ongoing reconciliation efforts while advocating direct primaries as the most credible method for candidate selection.
Kuraun emphasised that his administration would prioritise results-driven policies supported by innovative financing mechanisms, including asset monetisation.
“Any policy that does not add value is a waste of time. Our goal is to build a system that works—one that can position Benue as a leading agricultural force in Africa,” he said.
