Benue Orange Farmers To Smile Soon - BIPC

 Managing Director (M/D) of the Benue Investments and Property Company (BIPC) Dr. Raymond Asemakaha has a message for orange producing farmers in the state. Briefing the media in Makurdi where he unveiled foreign investors as partners to realize the planned production of orange juice in the state, Asemakaha stated the factory expected to start production in October would consume oranges without any remainder for the consumers outside the state! 

He appreciated Governor Hyacinth Alia for mandating BIPC under his management to reach higher heights. He explained that the resolve to operate in line with the Alia administration's aspiration influenced the decision to partner the Sono, Picama Group of investors and address the yearnings of people.

He disclosed that partnering investors would not only add value to economy but change earning status of the Benue farmer. According to him, the partnership was a significant milestone on the efforts to reduce post harvest losses by 85% or more and lay a solid economic foundation that could develop reliable revenue blue print for prosperity of the state.

Acknowledging the material losses the citrus farmers experience, Dr. Asemakaha stated that the desire to end the loses took BIPC more than a year in search of a credible investor and the Sono Brazil accepted and signed the deal for fifteen (15) years, thereby climaxed reality for creation of wealth using the juice factory.

Explaining that the investment would be of benefit to all, the M/D said "it will create job opportunities, end the post harvest losses, increase farm revenues and livelihoods, enhance overall efficiency and contribute to the growth of the GDP." 

Asemakaha added that the operation of the business would help to retain cash in the state from October 2025 while farmers should produce oranges because the raw materials were needed for BIPC to pay attractive price as doing makes less likely for the mangoes and oranges to be taken out of the state.

Dr. Asemakaha stated also that the objective for liberal pricing of the raw materials would boost production and encourage farmers to work hard for self sufficiency. He said, nothing from the raw materials would be thrown away since the chaffs would be used to produce biogas and fertilizers.

About the integrity, the M/D explained that the Group of investors remained one of the most competent for the deal and that the company made the profit of €60.6 million in the European financial year to be a relevant investor in the project.

Chairman of the Group, Luiz Areka thanked government for the initiative and undertook value addition with opportunity given to partner on profitability. He assured of the product's dominant presence 100% good quality. Luiz Areka concluded that Benue fruit juice would storm the Nigerian market very soon.