FG launches staple crops processing zone in Kogi

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said that despite the gains recorded in the agricultural sector, the nation still witnesses food loses, especially during  post-harvest period. He said: “To address the problem, we are embarking on SCPZ which are zones of high production of agro produce to which we will attract private […]

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said that despite the gains recorded in the agricultural sector, the nation still witnesses food loses, especially during  post-harvest period.
He said: “To address the problem, we are embarking on SCPZ which are zones of high production of agro produce to which we will attract private sector to food processing and agro allied companies to process and add value to our agro product. These SCPZs will ease the cost of doing business by the private sector.”
The main objective of SCPZ is to facilitate agro processing environment that will be used to attract private sector investment into local production and processing of Nigerian agricultural produce with the primary goal of substituting import and adding value to local produce.
 Adesina said food processing companies that are based in urban areas relied on the use of imported food products, instead of patronizing local production.
“As we do that, we essentially export jobs to other countries and decapitate our own economy and create poverty at home,” Adesina lamented.
In his remarks, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State expressed his gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan and the investors for choosing Kogi State for the pilot programme, adding that the  state is the highest producer of cassava in the country.