In a strategic move to commenced production on newly installed hybrid equipment and curb the post-harvest losses encountered by orange and mango farmers in Benue State, the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has hosted a technical assessment visit by its key partner, SONO Group Limited.
The multinational firm, known for its expertise in industrial-scale juice processing, operations and machinery management, conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the BIPC juice/ concentrate factories located in the industrial layout, Makurdi
Speaking after the facility tour, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha-CFA disclosed that the concentrate factory will commence operations officially on July 1st, 2025, while the main juice production line is scheduled to take off in September 2025.
Dr. Asemakaha emphasized that the initiative aligns with the broader economic agenda of the current administration led by His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, which focuses on industrial revival, agricultural value addition, and sustainable job creation for the people of Benue.
“We are committed to leveraging the state’s abundant agricultural produce to stimulate industrial growth, reduce waste, and provide employment opportunities. This factory is a testament to our dedication to building a productive and self-reliant Benue. Producers of orange and mango would be supplying directly to the company from September at the industrial layout. I’m using this opportunity to call on orchard Farmers to increase their production.” Dr. Asemakaha stated.
The assessment tour was conducted by Frank Runge, Managing Director of SONO Group, alongside the Company Secretary, Johnny Kritzinger, who expressed satisfaction with the level of readiness and quality of machinery installed at the factories.
They pledged SONO’s continued technical support to ensure a seamless takeoff and sustainable operation of the facilities.
“We are pleased with what we’ve seen. The infrastructure is solid, and we believe that once operations begin, BIPC’s facilities will stand as a model for agro-processing in West Africa,” Runge said.
During the inspection, BIPC’s maintenance officer, Engineer Henry Boager, carried out a detailed walkthrough of the facility, showcasing the various components of the processing lines. From the fruit intake stations, the extraction, filtration, concentration, pasteurization, and packaging units, Boager demonstrated the technical capacity of the equipment, which he said can boasts a production output of 62,000 litre of processed jiuce and concentrate value per hour.
Engineer Boager explained how the machines are designed to minimize waste, maximize yield, and operate at high efficiency.
“Every piece of equipment here has been selected to ensure we can process large volumes within tight timeframes. This is key to preventing fruit spoilage and enhancing profitability for our local farmers,” Boager noted.
The BIPC juice and concentrate factory is seen as a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to industrialize Benue State’s agricultural sector and will serve as a hub for value addition, local content promotion, and foreign investment attraction.
