*List Benefits, Urge More Membership
By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
The National Association of Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers (NAYFPM) in Benue State has assured of its resolve to remain in strong collaboration with the federal and state governments for the continued benefit of members of the body.
Addressing yam producers in Makurdi, the state capital, Benue State Chairman of the association, Chief (Dr.) David John Selu, noted that the body would continue to collaborate with the state, federal governments, other relevant authorities and individuals for the benefit of yam farmers.
Dr. Selu appreciated both the federal and state governments for remaining supportive of yam farmers, noting that the organization benefited from fertilizer distribution in 2023.
According to him, the Benue State Government in 2025 provided 450 sprayers and herbicides and also made available 12 pumps through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to members of his association.
The Chairman told yam farmers that the Anchor Borrowers Programme through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has procured fertilizer for sale at the cost of N17,000, urging interested yam armers to use the opportunity to buy the fertilizer.
He also appealed to those yet to join the association, to so without further delay as there are immense benefits in bonding with professional colleagues.
Dr. Selu said that yam farmers interested in mechanized farming should not hesitate to use the tractors provided by the government at subsidized rates and improve on yam cultivation.
While lamenting poor sale of farm produce, the Chairman called on the Federal Government to close the country’s borders to avoid importation of such produce so as to enable yam farmers benefit maximally from their farm produce.
Dr. Selu instructed members to open accounts with the Bank of Agriculture to qualify for loans to improve on their yam farming.
In his comment, the National President of the association, Professor Simon Iltwange disclosed that all commodity associations have formed a coalition to support President Tinubu in 2027, explaining that the coalition was not for any political party but only for President Tinubu because of what he described as his accomplishments for the association.
During the meeting, the Head of Operations, Benue State Health Insurance Scheme, Mrs. Emmanuella Sokpo, as part of advocacy, called on yam farmers, among other Nigerians, to register for the scheme.
She revealed the identities of health facilities that are the scheme’s gatekeepers in Makurdi, naming them as Madona hospital, Bishop Murray hospital and RCN hospital at International Market Makurdi.
She noted that if a facility cannot handle a particular ailment, it would be referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Dr. Selu.
