“Governor Samuel Ortom has initiated a number of programmes to ensure that Benue farmers have value for their produce. These include the 38% increase in subsidy on fertilizer for farmers in the last three years, improved seedlings for farmers, enrolment of Benue farmers into the anchor borrowers scheme, loans for women who are farmers, public private partnership with IFAD and other development organisations, boosting dry season farming among other numerous steps.
“One of the landmark achievements of Governor Ortom in the area of agriculture is the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017. Though Benue has come under attacks by herdsmen who are opposed to implementation of the law, the policy of ranching is seen as the best solution for herdsmen/farmers crisis across the country. The attacks have adversely affected agriculture in the state but Governor Ortom has demonstrated commitment in leading the state to overcome the challenge.”
* Excerpts from the citation on Governor Ortom during the Food and Agriculture Summit organized by The Nation newspaper yesterday at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.
The Governor was represented by Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Lawrence Onoja Jnr who was accompanied by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Terver Akase and Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Food Security, Mrs Dorcas Ukpe.