From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and Kano state government are set to empower agro-industry investors in the state, under Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative.
Peoples Daily reports that the AfDB/IFAD/IsDB Assisted SAPZ initiative is being implemented in seven states namely, comprising of Kano, Imo, Kaduna, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo and Ogun and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the first phase.
In Kano, the programme is targeting eight Local Government areas such as Dawakin Kudu, Kumbotso, Tofa, Gwarzo, Madobi, Shanono, Minjibir, and Gabasawa.
The initiative is also set to empower at least 750,000 women who are agro-industry investors, large aggregators and support service providers operating within AIHs and Agricultural Transformation Centers (ATCs) as the first phase is expected to directly benefit at least 1.5 million households.
Speaking at Community Engagement and Awareness Campaign in Dawakin Kudu and Kumbotso Local Government areas in Kano yesterday, the Project Coordinator, Aminu Abdullahi Iliyasu disclosed that the initiative aims to inform and mobilize smallholder farmers, agro-processors, traders, and community-based service providers about the program’s objectives and benefits.
According to Iliyasu, the awareness campaign seeks to educate tomato, rice, sesame, and groundnut farmers, as well as women, youth, and people with special needs, about SAPZ’s objectives, priority value chains, and catchment areas.
He explained that the programme is also aimed at to fostering community participation in decision-making, encourage knowledge sharing, and distribute program information through various educational materials.
The campaign, according to him, targets smallholder farmers, small agro-processors, traders, and service providers in the eight Local Government areas, with a view to improving their livelihood.
SAPZ is a comprehensive agro-industrialization initiative designed to boost private-sector investment in value-added agro-processing. The program seeks to enhance food security, create jobs, promote import substitution, reduce rural poverty, and increase agriculture’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP.
“It supports the development of high-food-production areas to supply the domestic market and generate exportable surpluses while empowering smallholder farmers, agro-processors, and traders, particularly women and youth.
“SAPZ operates on a market-driven model, ensuring sustainability through a robust value-chain approach that integrates government institutions, farmer organizations, and private-sector stakeholders.
“The initiative primarily targets agro-industry investors, large aggregators, and support service providers operating within AIHs and Agricultural Transformation Centers (ATCs). The first phase is expected to directly benefit at least 1.5 million households with 50 per cent of the beneficiaries being women.
“Additionally, IFAD investments, including support from the Green Climate Fund, will reach 100,000 direct beneficiaries, corresponding to 500,000 indirect beneficiaries.
“ In Kano and Ogun states alone, 75,000 beneficiaries will include 90 per cent farmers/producers and 10 per cent processors, traders, and service providers,” he explained.
Peoples Daily reports that the farmers groups that participated in the awareness campaign expressed satisfaction and zeal to key in to the programme.
They also expressed hope that the initiative would boost agriculture in their areas and improve their socioeconomic life.
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