The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with seven states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has initiated a strategic plan to activate Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) across the country. This move aims to further industrialize and ensure food security in Nigeria.
The activation of SAPZ is designed to improve agricultural produce by empowering farmers with necessary inputs and processors with required machinery.
This will enable them to process and convert agricultural produce and other raw materials into finished goods.
To achieve this goal, the Federal Government and seven other states, including Ogun, Kano, Imo, Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo, and Kwara, as well as the FCT Abuja, held a SAPZ-1 Programme Strategic Implementation Workshop in Abeokuta.
The workshop focused on issues related to farmers’ and processors’ empowerment, as well as prevention of post-harvest losses.
Temitope Olayiwola, SAPZ Financial Controller, emphasized the importance of the workshop, stating, “Ogun State came on board last out of the States selected for the programme. But, I must say that Ogun State has shown commitment, they have shown us that they have all it takes to succeed.”
Olayiwola further highlighted the significance of SAPZ, saying, “We are now on the era of industrialising agriculture, and we know that this is a game-changer for Nigeria. One of the objectives of this Government is reducing food insecurity, and SAPZ is an answer, from the start to the finish of production of agricultural produce, that is what SAPZ stands for”.