Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has called on farmers in the state to increase their agricultural output as the revival of agro-allied industries, particularly Taraku Mills, nears completion. During his recent Thank-You Tour, Alia emphasized the importance of scaling up production to ensure a steady market for farmers' goods and to mitigate losses that often occur during harvest season.

The governor announced that Taraku Mills, located in Gwer East, is currently in the test-running phase and is expected to commence full commercial operations shortly. He commended the local community for safeguarding the facility's equipment from vandalism during its period of inactivity, highlighting the collective effort to protect local resources.

Alia's appeal to farmers was made during separate engagement sessions with stakeholders from the Gwer East/Gwer West and Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituencies. He noted that the reactivation of Taraku Mills, along with other planned agro-industrial projects, aims to provide farmers with a reliable and profitable outlet for their produce, thereby reducing the pressure to sell at low prices during times of surplus.

In addition to addressing agricultural concerns, Governor Alia also touched on infrastructure development, promising to prioritize the construction of the Makurdi-Naka Road and other essential routes identified by local communities. He acknowledged the need for improvements in education, revealing plans to recruit additional teachers for primary and secondary schools following the recent hiring of 9,700 primary school teachers.

On security matters, Alia firmly stated that no land in Benue would be allocated for ranching, asserting that the land rightfully belongs to the people for farming and other lawful uses. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the establishment of the Nigerian Army 5 Division in Benue, which is expected to enhance security across the state.

During the Gwer session, local government chairman Timothy Adi welcomed the governor on behalf of the community, while other officials, including Commissioner for Land and Survey Frederick Ikyaan, praised the administration's achievements and expressed support for Alia ahead of the 2027 elections. In Makurdi and Guma, local leaders acknowledged the governor's efforts in delivering projects and requested additional resources, such as motorcycles for security personnel to navigate challenging terrains.

As the state gears up for the upcoming elections, former Governor Gabriel Suswam urged residents to unify in support of Alia, emphasizing the importance of solidarity. Meanwhile, APC State Chairman Benjamin Omale called for intensified grassroots mobilization among party members.

In a related development, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, commended Governor Alia for the successful completion of the Food Basket Brewery, which has created over 2,000 jobs since its inception and produces the Zeva beer brand and malt.