The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to fast-tracking the implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, describing it as a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening food security, creating jobs, driving industrialisation and transforming Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.
Speaking at the SAPZ Mid-Term Review Workshop in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, said the programme remains a key component of the current administration’s agenda to boost agricultural productivity, promote value addition and support economic diversification.
According to Ogunbiyi, the SAPZ Programme is designed to attract investments into agro-processing, reduce post-harvest losses and create efficient market linkages that will enhance the competitiveness of agricultural commodities.
He noted that by establishing agro-industrial hubs close to production centres, the initiative would help lower production costs, stimulate rural economic activities and generate employment opportunities particularly for women and youths.
The permanent secretary stressed that the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s broader objective of achieving sustainable food security and reducing dependence on imports through increased local production and processing.
He further stated that the mid-term review workshop provided stakeholders with an opportunity to assess progress made so far, identify implementation challenges and develop strategies to ensure the successful delivery of the programme’s objectives.
Ogunbiyi reaffirmed the government’s resolve to work closely with development partners, state governments and the private sector to maximise the impact of the initiative and unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme is regarded as one of the Federal Government’s flagship interventions aimed at transforming agriculture from a subsistence activity into a modern, market-driven and industrialised sector capable of contributing significantly to economic growth and national development.
