….says it’s game-changer for food production, employment

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, has commended the Federal Government on the groundbreaking of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, as it is going to be a game-changer for food production in Nigeria.

In a goodwill message by the Country Director, IFAD, Mrs Dede Ekoue, at the groundbreaking ceremony of the SAPZ in Cross River State, Nigeria, acknowledged the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, for his dedication and commitment to ensure a successful launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Cross River State.

She said: “This ceremony is a great opportunity to commend the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its ambitious vision and strong leadership in driving this SAPZ, a driver of agricultural modernization, agri-food systems transformation, and sustainable economic empowerment of small holders farmers and agripreneurs across Nigeria and especially today in Cross River State where we gather to witness this historic groundbreaking.

“The high-level representation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to this momentous groundbreaking event through the effective presence of His Excellency the Vice President Kashim Shettima that represents a clear and strong indication of the high priority given by the Federal Government of Nigeria to SAPZ. We seize this opportunity to thank His Excellency the Vice President Kashim Shettima for his unwavering commitment to the transformation of agriculture and the sustainable empowerment of small holders’ farmers.

“We equally appreciate the outstanding leadership of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in steering the implementation and the effective coordination with all funding partners of SAPZ including International Fund for Agriculture Development and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and thank all the co-founders for their steadfast collaboration. Together, we are demonstrating through SAPZ the power of development coordination and resource alignment in delivering transformative outcomes.

“Leveraging IFAD long-standing experience in inclusive value chain development in Nigeria, and the SAPZ integrated approach that addresses infrastructure and market gaps in agriculture, IFAD as lead of Component 2 Agricultural Productivity, Production, Market Linkages, and Value Addition in SAPZ catchment areas of SAPZ has already supported the empowerment of least 1000 farmers and built partnerships between these farmers and existing agro-industries.

“The leadership of the Federal Government and Kano state Government, the strong commitment of the SAPZ project team and the collaboration with other SAPZ funders (AFDB and ISDB) have been critical to this progress.

“The dedication and commitment of the Cross River State Government are great assets for building synergy between SAPZ and the FGN/NDDC/STATES/IFAD-funded Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project, which has as already empowered 26 000 youth- and women- agripreneurs with more than 4000 agripreneurs in Cross River.

“The well performing LIFE-ND program has demonstrated that with the right support, rural youth and women can become job creators and business leaders in sustainable agrifood systems.

“The approval by IFAD of the phase 2 of LIFE ND which aims to scale up the benefit of the programme to almost100 000 farmers across the Niger Delta by 2028 represents a unique opportunity to be leveraged by SAPZ.

“We thank the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy for their support in accelerating this process.

“IFAD expresses its deep gratitude to his Excellency the Executive Governor of Cross River State for ensuring the timely counterpart contribution of the State to the LIFE ND Program, a strong sign of his outstanding commitment to agriculture modernisation, young and women agribusinesses and inclusive economic growth.

“As we look to the future, IFAD wishes full success to SAPZ in Cross River and expresses its full commitment to working with the Federal Government, Cross River State and the African Development Bank, other funders, agribusiness community to build a strong synergy between the SAPZ and the highly performing youth empowerment program Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project.

“This commitment aligns with IFAD’s core mission, which is to invest in rural people, eradicate poverty and hunger, and enable smallholder farmers and agripreneurs including youth and women, to participate meaningfully in growing agricultural economies.

“Full success to all stakeholders of SAPZ on our collective journey toward turning potential into prosperity for Nigeria’s rural people and building agrifood systems that work for people, economy and the environment.”