The Benue commissioner for agriculture, Moses Ogabji, has said the state government has commenced dry season farming to boost food production.

Mr Ogbaji disclosed this at a workshop organised by Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA)/International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on cassava seed farming.

The commissioner said the Ministry of Agriculture had cleared lands for dry-season farming, and cultivation and planting would soon commence.

He called on Benue people to embrace dry season farming to boost food production and income generation.

Mr Ogbaji said the state government had inputs for all-year-round farming and would provide them for farmers who need them.

The commissioner advised farmers interested in seedlings or fertiliser to come to the ministry for purchase.

He also advised Sasakawa to concentrate on cassava farming and integrate African yam bean, which he said was more nutritious than cowpea.

SAA country director Godwin Atser, represented by Jonathan Yassah, Basic II project coordinator, said SAA was one of the project partners leading interventions in Benue and Nasarawa states.

He said the project had recorded success stories from farmers since its inception in 2023.

Mr Atser added that the project would continue to strengthen the capacity of national regulatory authorities to carry out the necessary regulatory functions for quality seed assurance.

Some participants at the workshop thanked Sasakawa for giving them the platform to engage in cassava farming and get better yields since they started using the improved variety of cassava seeds.

(NAN)