FG, AfDB to Launch Special-Agro Processing Zones Across the Country
The federal government in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other stakeholders will soon 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.
Under the programme, the Nigerian Government, in collaboration with the AfDB and working with other stakeholders such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development( IF AD) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) will demarcate areas across the 36 states and the FCT where the agro-processing centres will be established.
140 of such centres being envisaged across the country, would be provided with basic infrastructure such as water, electricity and roads as well as facilities for skills training.
Also, small-holder farmers in the catchment areas will be linked to markets across the value chain.
To set off the plan in the opening phase, seven states namely Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kwara of the geo-political zones in the country have been selected in addition to the Federal Capital Territory. All the other states would be added later as the scheme progresses.
Briefing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the progress made so far in the implementation of the programme, A fD B’ s Acting Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Ms Toda Atsuko, said the Bank in collaboration with others holders was ready to start the first phase of the Spec ia l-Agro Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, having completed a joint appraisal mission across the 36 states with the International Fund for Agricultural Development( IF AD ).
Atsuko said the success of the project is hinged on the political will of the B uh ari administration, adding that the plan will create jobs, and leverage on technology with significant youth participation. Osinbajo commended the progress in the plan yesterday at a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he was briefed about the status of the collaboration.
The Vice President while lauding the work done so far, said there is a need to syn erg is ere ally concrete ly with Green Imperative (which is the partnership with the Brazilians).