Stories By Stanley Onyekwere
In furtherance to transforming the agricultural landscape of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), beneficiaries of the FCT Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme have received support, in form of agricultural inputs.
It was gathered that agricultural inputs being distributed, comprises of bull calves, animal feeds, crop seeds, fertilizers, and crop protection chemicals and equipment.
Flagging off the distribution of the assorted inputs to the beneficiaries, yesterday, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said agriculture plays a vital role in meeting human need.
Mahmoud, who disclosed that among the beneficiaries of the 5,000 crop and livestock farmers who have been successfully profiled and cleared under the first phase of the SAPZ intervention, also expressed optimism that the support will serve as a vital catalyst for building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
Identifying food as the most essential need for human survival, the minister noted that agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, providing livelihoods for millions of people and ensuring food security for the nation.
Represented by the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Hon. Lawan Kolo Geidam, observed that farmers and agro-industrial entrepreneurs face numerous and complex challenges, ranging from climate change, poor agricultural practices, and access to market, stressing that these challenges require innovative solutions and collaborative efforts.
According to her, the successful implementation of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in the nation’s capital would target at empowering approximately 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, with a significant focus on women, who will constitute 40% of the beneficiaries.
“It is for these reasons that the FCT Administration has fully embraced the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project, an initiative that is in tune with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda predicated on injecting the much-needed manpower, resources and investments to reinvigorate the agricultural sector for sustainable development”, she stated.
She also reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s unwavering commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the SAPZ project, adding that over its 5-year duration, this project targets at empowering approximately 50,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries.
Furthermore, the minister thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development, aimed at the development of the sector which had been neglected for long.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of ARDS, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, explained that the SAPZ is an initiative that seeks to unlock the immense potential of the livestock sub-sector in the FCT, by providing critical financing and support to drive the growth, productivity, and sustainability of the sector.
Adayilo, who read the address of ARDS’s Mandate Secretary, Hon. Lawan Kolo Geidam, noted that two years into this project, the administration has made significant strides not only in an operational hub at the Paikon-Kore grazing reserve in Gwagwalada, but also having substantial impacts with the construction of value addition projects.
In a goodwill message by National Program Coordinator, SAPZ Program, Nigeria, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, encouraged farmers to continue striving for excellence, embracing innovative practices, and contributing to the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
He said: “To our hardworking farmers and beneficiaries, l commend your dedication and resilience. Your efforts are the foundation upon which we build our nation’s agricultural success.
“As we move forward, let us remember that the success of this project depends on our collective efforts. Let us continue to work together to ensure that the FCT Agro-Industrial Processing Zone becomes a model of excellence, setting the standard for other regions to follow. By doing so, we can create a prosperous future for our farmers, our communities, and our nation.”
Earlier, while presenting an overview of the initiative, the Project Coordinator, FCT SAPZ, Hajia Umma Abubakar, noted that the project was designed to promote livestock value chain and concentrate industrial processing and marketing of Beef and Dairy.
She added that it is aimed developing the rural areas, increasing household income, foster job creation in rural agricultural communities especially for the youth and women, enhancing food and nutrition security in FCT.
