Benue govt to mop up surplus oranges as prices crash, farmers struggle

The Benue State Government has announced plans to begin mopping up excess oranges from farmers by December in response to plummeting prices and the absence of adequate storage facilities.

Governor Hyacinth Alia made this known during an interactive session with church elders and traditional rulers in Gboko, where he expressed concern over the challenges facing fruit farmers across the state.

According to findings by a 100-kilogram bag of oranges currently sells for as low as ₦1,000 on farms a sharp drop blamed on oversupply and limited processing or storage options.

Most farmers are forced to sell their produce directly from their farms, as the highly perishable nature of oranges makes transporting them to markets risky, especially when buyers delay purchases.

Governor Alia lamented that traders and middlemen often exploit farmers by intentionally stalling transactions.

“They keep farmers waiting all day and only buy in the evenings at giveaway prices. They profit while our farmers suffer,” the governor said.

The planned government intervention aligns with the recent test-run of the Benfruit Orange Juice Factory by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC). The factory, recently revitalised by the state government, is expected to help process and preserve oranges, reducing post-harvest losses.

Reacting to the development, an orange farmer, Mr. Aondona Ayua-Jov, welcomed the government’s plan, describing it as “a timely relief.”

He revealed that he currently has over 100 bags of oranges still unsold despite offering them at ₦1,000 per bag.

Farmers across Benue, often referred to as Nigeria’s “food basket,” hope that the government’s mopping-up exercise will stabilize prices, curb exploitation by middlemen, and ensure their hard work yields fair returns.