Okra—locally known and deeply cherished across Benue State—is far more than a vegetable. It is a dietary staple, a source of household income, and a quiet contributor to food security. Yet, despite Benue’s reputation as Nigeria’s Food Basket, okra production still falls short of its true agricultural and economic potential. This piece examines how okra…

Benue State, located in Nigeria’s fertile Middle Belt, has long carried the title “Food Basket of the Nation.” While staples such as yam, cassava, rice, and soybeans dominate popular narratives, a quieter but highly strategic agricultural story is unfolding across the state’s plains and riverbanks: the cultivation of tomatoes and pepper. These crops are not…

1.Pineapple cultivation refers to the organised agricultural production of Ananas comosus, a tropical perennial fruit crop grown for fresh consumption and industrial processing (juice, concentrates, canned fruit, fibre, vinegar and wine). It thrives in warm climates, well-drained sandy loam soils, and requires moderate rainfall. Global Relevance Globally, pineapple is one of the most traded tropical…