Governor Ortom stated this today in Cape Town, South Africa, at the ongoing economic programme hosted by AidTrade Foundation.
He said Benue as the Food Basket of Nigeria produces yams in quantities that could feed many African countries, saying that processing of the commodity would also generate thousands of jobs for the people.
The Governor stated that the decision by the State Government to establish a commodity marketing board and the ongoing construction of warehouses across the state would prevent post-harvest losses yearly experienced by Benue farmers.
Governor Ortom said the present government of Benue State has matched words with action through the prompt payment of counterpart funds for different development projects in collaboration with international organizations.
Earlier, some investors at the first session of the forum hosted by the Head, International Trade – Africa, Mr Michael Gamwo, commended the determination and focus of Governor Ortom in diversifying the economy and expressed willingness to take advantage of the numerous opportunities in the economy of the state.
They said Benue holds the potential to feed the continent of Africa through various agriculture produce, giving assurance that the public-private initiatives of the Ortom administration would yield positive results.
Those who spoke at the event included a representative of the Western Cape Government, Roderick Thyssen, Chief Executive Officer of Agri All Africa, Dirk Hanekom, a team of top officials of AidTrade Foundation led by Kriek Bekker and a market research analyst, Ruby Swigelaar of WESGRO.
Governor Ortom was accompanied to the economic forum by four members of the State Executive Council who are with him on the trip to South Africa.
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