Farmers in Benue State are taking bold steps to breathe new life into their struggling commodity associations, aiming to boost food production and adopt modern farming practices.

The Benue chapter of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) announced plans to reform, reorganise, and strengthen these groups, which have been inactive for years.

Speaking on the initiative, Benue FACAN Coordinator, Mr. Vitalis Tarnongu, revealed that when he took office in March, he found most commodity associations in a “comatose” state. Many had leaders who had held office for decades contrary to the FACAN constitution, while some were not linked to their national bodies at all.

“In many cases, these groups lack proper structures, have no official addresses, and are run by just one person,” Tarnongu explained. “Without organisation, farmers miss out on modern agronomic methods, leading to low yields during harvest.”

To fix these problems, a committee has been set up to review all associations and recommend changes. The focus will be on introducing best farming practices, improving coordination, and positioning Benue’s farmers to benefit from national and international opportunities.

Tarnongu called on FACAN’s national secretariat to support the state’s revival efforts, stressing that a stronger network of commodity associations will not only improve yields but also help in economic planning and food security.