FG, Benue set up yam processing factories

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Benue, Donald Gbugho, said on Thursday in Makurdi that the Federal and Benue Governments planned setting up yam processing factories in the state.

The planned factory by the Federal Government would be sited in Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

He said that of the state government would be sited in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.

Gbugho said that when the factories were operational, they would go long way to curb the wastages by the farmers.

The commissioner assured the people of Benue that the two factories would commence operations before the expiration of the tenure of both President Goodluck Jonathan and Gov. Gabriel Suswam in May 2015.

He said that the machines for use in the factories had been ordered and that deliveries of the equipment were being awaited.

He also disclosed that some engineers had left Nigeria to China to test run the machines to ensure that they were in good conditions and could give the right results.

“As soon as the machines arrive in the state, they would be installed immediately. The move is geared toward eliminating wastages suffered by yam farmers in the state over the years,’’ he said.

Zaki-Biam and Katsina-Ala are the leading local government areas in the production of yam in Benue.

NAN