Concerned by the projected rise in food insecurity, with an estimated 33.1 million Nigerians facing hunger by 2025, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), has committed to boosting food production and revitalizing the rural economy through the Special Agro-Industrial Zones (SAPZ) programme.
At the first joint Federal Government/IFAD Supervision Wrap-up Event for the SAPZ programme, National Programme Coordinator Kabir Yusuf announced the successful launch of a pilot project in Kano State. He outlined the program’s broader objectives, including diversifying Nigeria’s economy through agriculture and attracting vital investments to the sector.
The SAPZ Programme, which is a cornerstone of President Tinubu’s administration under the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ aims to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The initiative has already profiled 7,398 farmers, with 1,000 of the most vulnerable farmers receiving support for rice and tomato production. In Kano State, 505 farmers in Kura Local Government Area are focused on rice cultivation, while 504 farmers in Ogoi LGA are working on tomatoes.
A key element of the SAPZ initiative is the connection between farmers and agro-industries that will buy their produce at competitive prices, ensuring a reliable income for farmers. After extensive negotiations, agreements have been signed to ensure that farmers’ efforts lead to financial stability, addressing one of the major challenges smallholder farmers face in Nigeria.
Yusuf expressed optimism about the programme’s potential to improve food security, stating, “With the full backing of the presidency and strong support from various state governments, I am confident that by 2025, we will achieve our goals and make significant progress in securing Nigeria’s food future.”
Dede Ekoue, the Country Director for IFAD, also expressed confidence in the future of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, noting the positive results from the pilot phase in Kano State. She described the progress of the Accelerated Pilot Intervention (API) as highly promising and believed it serves as a successful model for scaling up the SAPZ Programme, which will boost productivity and support smallholder farmers across the country.
