August 25, (THEWILL) — The Group Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, has expressed optimism that its partnership with investors from Sono Groups and Picama Group would mark a new era in the efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and boost the state economy.
“By investing in our orange produce, these investors are not only creating a stable market for our farmers but also helping to reduce post-harvest losses by up to eighty percent”, Asemakaha stated.
Playing host to the leadership of the Group at the BIPC headquarters in Makurdi on Monday, Dr Asemakaha, hoped that the partnership would also lead to an increase in farmers’ income and livelihoods, job opportunities for the teeming youths of the state.
“It take off will further enhance the overall efficiency of our agricultural operations, contribute to the growth and development of our state’s economy, increase our state GDP, and hold cash within the system”, he declared.
He described Sono Groups as a company of high pedigree with a balanced sheet profit of over 60.6 million euros, A tier 1 Company in the world, that is capable of turning around the Benue economy.
The BIPC Group Managing Director, therefore, urges Benue farmers and the orange association to work together to ensure the success of the initiative, assuring that at the end of October this year, no oranges will leave Benue state to another place as offtake one hundred percent.
Responding, the chairman of SONO Brazil, who is also the team leader, Mr Liuz Arenac, assured of their readiness to deliver on the mandate of reducing wastages in orange and mangoes through processing.
He commended Benue State Government for creating an enabling environment for the take off of the industry, saying the 15-year partnership deal will be of great value to both of them.
