Dangote Cement Plc has launched a Farmers Empowerment Programme in Benue State, transforming 50 local farmers into thriving agro-entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to support the Nigerian government’s food security drive and deepen business activities in the state.

“We are witnessing an historic occasion in our journey of mutual development,” said Johnson Kor, General Manager of Social Performance at Dangote Cement. “Farmers Empowerment Programme is the first programme to be launched since we signed the Community Development Agreement with the immediate host communities in December 2024.”

The programme provides farmers with critical support, including:The beneficiaries were carefully selected from six catchment areas in Gboko Local Government Area, where Dangote Cement operates. According to Munusamy Murugan, Plant Director of Dangote Cement Gboko Plant, the company plans to make the programme an annual event, with flexibility to adjust based on community preferences.

“This is the first batch but certainly just the beginning, and certainly not the end,” Murugan said. “We plan it to be an annual event, but the choice of the Farmers programme may change, depending on the choice of the benefiting communities.”