Dangote Cement Plc has launched a new Farmers Empowerment Programme in Benue State to boost local food production and promote sustainable livelihoods in its host communities.
The initiative, rolled out in Gboko Local Government Area, aims to empower 50 selected farmers with the tools and resources needed to cultivate both subsistence and commercial crops. The beneficiaries were drawn from six catchment areas around the company’s Gboko plant.
As part of the programme, farmers will receive essential agricultural inputs including fertilisers, agrochemicals, knapsack sprayers, and high-quality seedlings. The effort aligns with ongoing national strategies to enhance food security and strengthen rural economies.
Company officials described the project as both “historic and innovative,” and pledged to make it an annual initiative, adaptable to the evolving needs of participating communities. The programme builds on Dangote Cement’s broader commitment to social investment, following recent support initiatives for women and students in the region.
Additional projects are already in the pipeline, including a youth-focused empowerment programme that will provide vocational training in skills such as welding, fabrication, and solar electrical installation.
Community members have welcomed the programme as a timely intervention to support agriculture and boost local food supply. The empowerment drive is expected to create new economic opportunities while contributing to national efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and self-sufficiency.
