By Aondofa Antyever
A value chain development organisation, GITAKO Ltd, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, paid a working visit to the Benue State Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Makurdi to explore areas of collaboration aimed at improving grain quality and strengthening agribusiness development in the state.
The Benue State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mrs. Abel-Ugbir Iveren Jessica, warmly received the Chief Executive Officer of GITAKO Ltd, Mr. Ekele James Adole, and his team. In her remarks, Mrs. Abel-Ugbir emphasised the Council’s mandate to promote research and development by enhancing the utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant raw materials for industrial growth. She noted that the Council plays a strategic role in diversifying the economy through the promotion of the non-oil sector, provision of technical support services to industries and researchers, and advisory services to government on raw materials development.
Speaking on behalf of GITAKO Ltd, Mr. Adole outlined the organisation’s track record in building farmers’ capacity in best production practices and promoting entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector. He disclosed that selected soybean farmers from Benue State were recently taken to Kwara State to understudy improved farming techniques, where yields of up to three tonnes per hectare are achieved.
However, Mr. Adole expressed concern over what he described as a lacuna in Benue State’s grain system. According to him, research indicates that soybeans, sesame, and other grains produced in the state have comparatively lower oil content than those from some other states. He attributed this challenge largely to the use of poor-quality seed varieties by farmers.
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To address the issue, he presented a proposed intervention tagged the “Grain Assured Initiative,” designed to enhance the value and credibility of Benue grains through awareness creation, access to improved seedlings, and measures to curb sharp practices. The initiative, he explained, seeks to improve quality and standardisation, boost processors’ confidence, increase farmers’ income, and strengthen Benue State’s reputation as a source of premium grains.
Mr. Adole formally sought RMRDC’s partnership in implementing the project, particularly in an upcoming stakeholders’ workshop scheduled for April in Benue State. He proposed the formation of a technical working group to facilitate the development of policies and standards for seed varieties and grain quality, as well as farmers’ support initiatives, seed multiplication strategies, and the establishment of a grain quality assurance task force. He further advocated for the adoption of a farmers’ cluster system to improve communication, feedback, and measurable results.
In her response, Mrs. Abel-Ugbir highlighted RMRDC’s past interventions in promoting agro raw materials in Benue State, particularly soybeans, sesame, and shea nuts. She revealed that the Council had, on three separate occasions, distributed improved varieties of soybean and sesame seedlings, as well as shea nut planting materials, to farmers across the state. She affirmed that the proposed initiative aligns with the Council’s mandate and therefore merits its support and collaboration.
She further expressed the Council’s readiness to provide both technical and institutional support. She also advised that, given the scale of the project, additional relevant stakeholders, including NAADI and other sector players, should be engaged to ensure broad-based participation and sustainability.
Expressing appreciation, GITAKO’s Programme Officer, Engr. Israel Ayua, thanked the State Coordinator and staff of RMRDC Benue for their warm reception and openness to collaboration, expressing optimism that the partnership would significantly enhance grain quality and agribusiness competitiveness in the state.
