FG targets 750,000 women farmers, processors, aggregators in Kano
The Federal Government-assisted Kano State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative revealed that it is set to empower at least 750,000 women who are agro-industry investors, aggregators, and support service providers operating within AIHs and Agricultural Transformation Centres (ATCs) as the first phase is expected to directly benefit at least 1.5 million households. The drive […]
The Federal Government-assisted Kano State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative revealed that it is set to empower at least 750,000 women who are agro-industry investors, aggregators, and support service providers operating within AIHs and Agricultural Transformation Centres (ATCs) as the first phase is expected to directly benefit at least 1.5 million households.
The drive targets smallholder farmers, small agro-processors, traders, and service providers in the following eight Local Government Areas (LGAs): Dawakin Kudu, Kumbotso, Tofa, Gwarzo, Madobi, Shanono, Minjibir, and Gabasawa. These LGAs are being integrated into the SAPZ framework following the successful pilot implementation in Kura and Bagwai LGAs, where 1,000 farmers, 500 rice farmers and 500 tomato farmers benefited from the initiative.
The Project Coordinator, Aminu Abdullahi Iliyasu, made this known while launching a community engagement and awareness creation campaign across eight additional catchment areas in the state.
He said, “This initiative aims to inform and mobilize smallholder farmers, agro-processors, traders, and community-based service providers about the program’s objectives and benefits.”
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Daily Trust reports that the Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), state governments and private investors, is implementing the SAPZ initiative across seven states – Kano, Imo, Kaduna, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo and Ogun, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in its first phase.
He said, “SAPZ is a comprehensive agro-industrialization initiative designed to boost private-sector investment in value-added agro-processing. The program seeks to enhance food security, create jobs, promote import substitution, reduce rural poverty, and increase agriculture’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP.
“It supports the development of high-food-production areas to supply the domestic market and generate exportable surpluses while empowering smallholder farmers, agro-processors, and traders, particularly women and youth.
“SAPZ operates on a market-driven model, ensuring sustainability through a robust value-chain approach that integrates government institutions, farmer organizations, and private-sector stakeholders.