The Kwara State government has launched a new agricultural initiative focused on enhancing livestock production and advancing rural development.
In a media briefing held in Ilorin on Thursday, the state coordinator of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), Engineer Dr. Busari Isiaka, revealed that the project is being implemented through a $57.2 million partnership between the state government and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) of Saudi Arabia.
The initiative is designed to develop strong infrastructure to support both investors and local farmers involved in beef and dairy processing.
Engineer Isiaka underscored the importance of the initiative, stating that it marks the first time a sitting governor is leading the steering committee of a project of this scale.
“This is a five-year program jointly financed by the Kwara State government and the Islamic Development Bank. Unlike other states that partner with the African Development Bank, Kwara stands out as the first to engage in this kind of collaboration with the IsDB,” he explained.
He further noted the state’s proactive approach, citing its early fulfillment of counterpart funding requirements.
According to him, Kwara was the first state to meet its financial commitments, a move that has enabled swift and notable progress in the project’s implementation.
The initiative is centered on strengthening agricultural infrastructure, especially within the livestock industry, with the main goal of improving the well-being of rural populations.
The SAPZ project places a strong emphasis on empowering youth and women, while also working to ensure food and nutrition security. It aims to deliver long-term support to livestock farmers by granting them access to modern processing facilities and resources.
Engineer Isiaka elaborated that the project is being carried out across five local government areas: Ifelodun, Kaiama, Baruten, Asa, and Moro.
It will include the establishment of Agricultural Transformation Centres where farmers can process raw materials, such as milk, before they are sent to the agro-industrial hub located in Malete, within Moro Local Government Area, for further processing into dairy products like yogurt and cheese.
He added that the beef value chain is also part of the initiative, with facilities planned to support comprehensive meat processing.
“To ensure effective implementation, we conducted thorough environmental impact assessments and engaged extensively with local communities.
We have identified and profiled more than 5,000 beneficiaries to guarantee the infrastructure is tailored to their needs, including the provision of clean water,” he stated.
The project is currently in the design stage and is set to move into full-scale infrastructure development later this year.
“With God’s help, construction of the facilities will begin before the end of the year. The design phase is scheduled for completion within three months, after which contractors will take over the implementation,” he said.
The SAPZ state coordinator also disclosed that the government has brought on board consultants to help attract both domestic and international investors to the initiative.
He emphasized that the primary objective of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) is to minimize post-harvest losses and boost value addition.
“Kwara is strategically positioning itself as a frontrunner in livestock processing, and this project is set to bring significant benefits to our farmers,” he concluded.
