Minister Ogbeh Commissions Agribusiness Incubation Centre In Benue State

Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh has commissioned an Agribusiness Incubation Centre at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi as part of the Federal Government executed agricultural projects in the state.

The Agribusiness incubation centre built and equipped by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is an effort to walk the talk in recognizing and treating agriculture as a business; with emphasis on the promotion of agricultural value chain in the areas of food production, processing, preservation, marketing and storage.

Speaking while commissioning the project, Chief Audu Ogbeh described research and development as key to agriculture and very strategic to attaining national food security. He encouraged the university to make good use of the facility to advance the study and practice of agriculture, in order to contribute to the realization of the Buhari-Ied administration’s focus on diversifying the economy through agriculture. 'We recognise what you do and we also know that without you, we can't move forward. I'm very proud of what you are doing here and what you have put in place in just 9 months is fascinating. I assure you that more funding will come".

Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi Prof. A. R. Kimbir, on behalf of the university thanked the Federal Government: "The University is deeply elated by the decision of the ministry to include her in the pilot scheme of these centres aimed at establishing a connection between laboratory to land and business approach to farming. The university has keyed into the agricultural policy of the Federal Government to diversify the economic under the purposeful leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. We have recently entered into an agreement to recently entered into an agreement to cultivate 1000 hectares of organically grown ginger on campus, targeting the international market under the CBN Anchor Borrowers Scheme"

Source: FMARD