The Benue government has pledged to strengthen its partnership with the Teryima and Msurshima Foundation to expand the distribution of improved foundation seed, enhance agriculture, and boost food security across the state.

The pledge was made on Friday in Makurdi during the foundation’s annual free distribution of improved seeds to farmers.

Speaking at the occasion, Serumun Aber, secretary to the Benue government, lauded the Teryima and Msurshima Foundation for supporting the state’s agricultural development agenda.

Represented by Akor Abiem, Ms Aber said agriculture remained a major priority under Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Seven-Point Agenda, stressing that food production was critical because everyone must eat.

She disclosed that she was also actively engaged in large-scale farming, reflecting the administration’s commitment to increasing agricultural productivity.

According to her, Benue, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation”, possesses enormous agricultural potential that must be fully harnessed through expanded cultivation.

Also speaking, the commissioner for agriculture and natural resources, Benjamin Ashaver, commended the Teryima and Msurshima Foundation for complementing government efforts to improve food security.

Represented by Tersoo Akor, Mr Ashaver said the state government was ready to strengthen collaboration with the foundation to replicate the initiative across Benue.

He urged farmers to increase cultivation, embrace climate-smart agriculture by adopting early-maturing crop varieties, utilise subsidised fertilisers and agrochemicals judiciously, and seek guidance from agricultural extension officers.

Vitalis Targnongu, CEO of the Teryima and Msurshima Foundation, said the annual seed distribution was in fulfilment of a promise he made to God to continually support ordinary people.

He explained that the distributed seeds—millet, cowpea, okra and spinach—were first-generation foundation seeds produced from breeder seeds sourced from research institutes.

According to him, farmers have consistently recorded high yields from the improved seeds, and the initiative will continue annually.

The Ter Gwer, Dominic Akpe, described the programme as commendable, saying agriculture remained indispensable because everyone depended on food.

Mr Akpe urged the organisers to extend the programme to all the 23 council areas of the state and partner with traditional institutions to mobilise rural farmers.

He called on parents, particularly mothers, to encourage their children to embrace agriculture, describing farming as a pathway to discipline, healthy living and food security.

The coordinator for the Small Scale Women Farmers Association of Nigeria, Veronica Guma, described the foundation’s intervention as timely and impactful. She said the organisation had supported women farmers with quality seedlings for about three years, resulting in improved harvests and increased food production.

Ms Guma added that the products, especially the bean seeds, had earned beneficiaries’ confidence because of their high quality and excellent performance.

(NAN)