By Yakubu LAAH InvestAdvocate

Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)-Africa’s leading conglomerate, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) on Thursday said its agribusiness subsidiary Teragro Commodities Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Benue State government to lease land to establish citrus farms in Ushongo, Benue.

Donald Gbugho, commissioner for agriculture and natural resources of Benue State alongside permanent secretary to the Minister of Agriculture Neeyum Tsavnum signed the MoU on behalf of the Benue State government, a statement from Transcorp affirmed.

“The MoU represents an expansion of Teragro’s current operations in Benue State, which have previously been focused in Makurdi. Teragro has been functioning as an industrial operation processing oranges and mangoes into concentrates for local consumption. Over time, Teragro has grown and expanded its footprint and now produces concentrate that meets the most rigorous global standards for purchase by multinational corporations, including a leading international beverage manufacturer,” Transcorp affirmed.

“Teragro has contributed immensely to growth in Benue State. They first addressed community and youth unemployment by creating jobs and now, the company is taking a step forward by beginning proper farming, through expert agricultural investors who are standing by with improved varieties of oranges, which the Ushongo people and Benue State at-large can benefit from. This is truly a significant step in the development of agriculture in Benue and in Nigeria,”  Gbugho said.

Dupe Olusola, managing director (MD) Teragro thanked the commissioner for his support, which has enabled the company to contribute to the growth of a diversified economy. “The untapped opportunities in agriculture are huge and we are committed to ensuring that Nigeria can once again generate high revenues from agriculture as it did before the discovery of oil. The new farming land will ensure we can do our part to bring those untapped opportunities to fruition,” she said.

Emmanuel Nnorom, group president and CEO Transcorp Group was quoted as saying “We are grateful to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Gabriel Suswam, CON, for his assistance in ensuring synergy between Teragro and the local community within which we operate and we hope this will continue, said Transcorp Group President and CEO Emmanuel N. Nnorom. “We are committed to the work we are doing in Benue and look forward to a continually harmonious working relationship.”