By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The owner of Teryima Nigeria Limited, agricultural company based in Makurdi, Vitalis Tarnongu has distributed free improved seeds to farmers in Benue State as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and enhance food security.
Tarnongu who is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, said during the exercise at the weekend that the initiative was designed to support farmers, especially the less privileged, overcome the high cost of quality seeds, which remains a major barrier to increased crop production.
“We are giving out three varieties maize, cowpea, and sesame because they are short-duration crops ideal for climate change conditions. Quality seeds contribute up to 50 per cent of a farmer’s success. Once that foundation is strong, everything else follows,” Tarnongu said.
He added that the gesture was also in fulfilment of a personal vow to consistently give back to society by empowering farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector.
Tarnongu, who also heads the Msurshima Foundation, Teryima and Msurshima Farms, and Teryima Multipurpose Cooperative Society, advised beneficiaries to make productive use of the seeds.
Technical Adviser to the Benue Governor on Agriculture, Ochanya Okoh, commended the company for aligning with the Alia administration’s drive to revolutionise agriculture in the state, pledging government partnership with such initiatives.
A beneficiary, Associate Prof. Victor Ahur, lauded the distribution of high-yielding, disease-resistant seeds and encouraged farmers to adopt modern agronomic practices to maximise their harvests.
