By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, SAPZ, Programme, has commenced the learning visit to the International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme, IFAD-VCDP, Commodity Alliance Forum, CAF, in Benue state to replicate model and boost food production in Kano state.

The team which is made of farmers, government officials, stakeholders from Kano state as well as processors, off takers, and officials of the SAPZ are in the state on a three Day learning visit on the CAF model, organised by the National Coordination Office of SAPZ Programme with the FGN/IFAD-VCDP and Country Programme Advisory Team, CPAT.

In his opening remarks, the IFAD-VCDP, Benue State Program Coordinator, SPC, Dr. Emmanuel Igbaukum explained that the study visit would entail the sharing of ideas and field visits which would enrich the knowledge of the visiting team.

Hw said: “In three days we have alot that the programme will be sharing with you, it will not be restricted to the hall, we will visit the field to enable you get first hand information on everything you want to know and we will have heart to heart discussions on all that will help your course in order to foster a partnership that would take our shared dreams to greater heights.”

The National Program Coordinator of SAPZ, Dr.  Kabir Yusuf, represented by the National Knowledge Management and Communication Specialist, Babangida Shehu disclosed that “the main purpose of our visit to Benue is to understudy CAF and the successes being recording because Benue is one of the best implementing CAF under the IFAD-VCDP.

“On our team, we have farmers,  processors and other stakeholders. We will leverage on what IFAD-VCDP is doing in Benue and replicate same in Kano state.”

The National Programme Coordinator of FGN/IFAD-VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu, represented by the Market Development Officer, Mr. Sunday Agama assured that the purpose of the visit would be achieved “because the IFAD-VCDP will avail you all the information that you need to help you achieve the purpose of your visit and attain the success you desire.

“At the end, the SAPZ Kano will turn out to be one of the best and also expand to other areas and places for the good of the people.”

Also, the Team Lead, IFAD Country Programme Advisory Team, CAPT, Dr Ameh Onoja expressed joy that Benue had demonstrated “one of the best agro-business practices based on the IFAD key model where you have a robust relationship within the key actors in the value chain, the producers, the private and public sectors.

“It is a multi stakeholders engagement and at the end you will pick the bits and pieces of what you need to do, to ensure the successful implementation of SAPZ.”

The delegation also visited the Benue State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Moses Ogbaji, where the team lead and Rural Institutions Development Specialist at SAPZ, Abel Ameh disclosed that the team was in the state to understudy the CAF model being implemented by IFAD-VCDP.

He said “CAF has been a success story in Benue. It is a model that has built successful farmers and we want it replicated in Kano and the SAPZ platform.”

Responding, Prof. Ogbaji who lauded the success story of IFAD-VCDP in the state assured that Benue state would collaborate with Kano state to support their shared vision of ensuring massive food production in the country.