SAPZ programme will drive agro-industrial growth, strengthen food security — Ogunbiyi

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, has said the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme will drive agro-industrial growth and strengthen food security in Nigeria.

Ogunbiyi stated this during the meeting of the Federal Inter-Agency Technical Committee for the SAPZ Programme held on Thursday in Abuja.

He described the initiative as a key model for agricultural industrialisation, food systems transformation and sustainable economic development in the country.

According to him, the programme is designed to reduce post-harvest losses, improve agricultural productivity, attract private investments, create jobs for youths and women, and stimulate inclusive economic growth across participating states.

He explained that the SAPZ initiative seeks to establish integrated agro-industrial hubs equipped with critical infrastructure such as roads, power supply, water, storage facilities, logistics systems and processing centres located near major agricultural production areas.

The permanent secretary noted that the programme would help move Nigeria from the export of raw agricultural commodities to agro-industrial processing, value addition and market-driven agricultural development.

“The SAPZ Programme presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to reposition agriculture as a business-driven and industrialised sector capable of driving national development, generating employment and increasing competitiveness within regional and global markets,” he said.

Ogunbiyi further disclosed that that the programme is jointly financed by the Federal Government, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), with support from participating state governments and private sector stakeholders.