FG And AfDB Collaborating On Special-Agro Processing Zones Across The Country (Photos)

As part of the Buhari administration’s efforts to transform agricultural productivity in the country, the Federal Government in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other stakeholders is set to roll out a Special-Agro Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme aimed at concentrating agro-processing activities in demarcated areas to boost productivity and integrate production, processing and marketing of selected commodities.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, commended the progress in the plan earlier today at a meeting at the Presidential Villa where he was briefed about the status of the collaboration. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Nanono and his counterpart in the Industry, Trade and Investment Ministry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo were also at the meeting.

Under the programme, the Nigerian government, in collaboration with the AfDB and working with other stakeholders such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Bank of Industry, will demarcate areas across the 36 States and the FCT where the agro-processing centres will be established. About 140 of such centers are being envisaged across the country.

The agro-processing centres can be furnished with basic infrastructure which includes water, strength and roads as well as facilities for competencies schooling. Small-holder farmers in the catchment regions could be linked to markets across the value chain.

To spark off the plan in the beginning segment, 7 States representing maximum of the geo-political zones within the united states were decided on similarly to the Federal Capital Territory. The States are Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kwara. All the opposite States inside the united states of america would be delivered later as the scheme progresses.

The programme aligns with the Economic Sustainability Plan and the Next Level programme of the Buhari management regarding agriculture.

Briefing Prof. Osinbajo at the development made to this point inside the implementation of the programme, AfDB’s Acting Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Ms Toda Atsuko stated the bank in collaboration with other stakeholders was ready to start the first segment of the Special-Agro Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, having completed a joint appraisal assignment across the 36 States with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Atsuko who counseled the Buhari administration for its efforts stated the success of the mission is hinged on the political will of the Buhari administration, including that the plan will create jobs, and leverage on technology with vast teenagers participation.

“I am very pleased to see that paintings has advanced and quite a chunk is already being performed. There is a need to synergize without a doubt concretely with Green Imperative (which is the partnership with the Brazilians), I think there are areas wherein these  programmes can complement each different,” in line with the Vice President.

According to him, “I am clearly positive that we've got enough room given the sheer size of the agric corporation in Nigeria, we've enough room to accommodate those programmes, specifically while they are synergized in a way that it'll advantage the entire quarter.”

Emphasizing the need to additionally make sure powerful synergy with the 36 States, the Vice President said “again, synergy may be essential with the States because there's no way of having this factor achieved without a near collaboration with the States due to the fact the States are in which these tasks may be noted.”

Prof. Osinbajo then commended the efforts of all stakeholders on the mission noting that “that is a superb development that we've made and we ought to ensure this certainly works. Particularly with the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.”

Earlier in his comments, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Nanono welcomed the partnership to establish agro-processing zones throughout the country, noting that it would be to the gain of farmers and the agric region at massive.

He additionally emphasized the want for synergy of ideas and efforts to ensure that the Special-Agro Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme complements the Green Imperative initiative of the Buhari administration.

On his element, Associate Vice President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mr Donal Brown who joined actually, stated the business enterprise might co-finance the undertaking with the AfDB with the view to creating an crucial possibility for small-holder farmers in Nigeria to enhance their farm yields, beautify their profits and livelihoods. Already, IFAD is running with approximately a hundred and fifty,000 Nigerian small holder farmers.

Besides the Ministers, other officers at the meeting protected the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu; the MD/CEO of Bank of Industry, Mr Kayode Pitan; Senior Special Adviser to the AfDB President on Industrialization, Prof Oyebanji Oyeyinka, among other senior officials from the AfDB and IFAD.