The dwindling agricultural fortunes of Benue State has been decried by a cross section of stakeholders.
The state held sway several years ago with its bountiful harvests, earning the slogan “Food Basket of the Nation”. However, the state, which is also endowed with lots of mineral resources, is now a shadow of its old self.

Reports reveal that several attempts by government and non-governmental agencies to initiate programmes to stimulate the agricultural, solid minerals and tourism sectors to improve the economy of the state have not yielded substantial fruit.

Despite the establishment of the Agricultural Training Centre, Mbatie in Burutu, and the College of Agriculture, Yandev in Gboko local government area, the state has not maximized its agricultural potentials.
Lamenting this situation was the former Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Felix Atume, who said the major cause of the rot is bad roads.

“Rural access promotes agriculture, health, education, security, social interaction and general economic development. Unfortunately, in many states of the federation, the rural areas are inaccessible, especially during the rainy season. Farmers in these areas cannot bring their farm produce to the markets. The rural areas thus become isolated, fuelling the cycle of poverty. They cannot get health facilities because they cannot be reached. Their children cannot go to good schools because they cannot be accessed”.