Dangote Cement Plc has launched a Farmers Empowerment Programme in Benue State, aimed at supporting the government’s food security efforts.
The programme, which was launched on Thursday, is designed to enable 50 farmers to produce subsistence and cash crops in commercial quantities.
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Speaking at the launch, General Manager Social Performance, Johnson Kor, described the initiative as “historic and innovative.”
He said the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the company’s host communities in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
Also speaking, Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Munusamy Murugan, represented by Head of Production Department, Engr Soom Kiishi, said the company plans to make the programme an annual event.
He also announced that other economic empowerment programmes, including a Youth Empowerment Programme, are lined up in the coming weeks.
The launch of the programme was attended by representatives of the host communities, who expressed their gratitude to Dangote Cement Plc for the initiative.
Kwaghgba Isaac, a member of the community, described the programme as a “historic and huge intervention” that will not only boost subsistence farming but also help feed the nation.
The Farmers Empowerment Programme is the latest in a series of initiatives by Dangote Cement Plc to support the development of its host communities.
The company has also increased bursary payments to students of host communities by over 100% and empowered businesswomen in Gboko host communities with cash grants.
