The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme has commenced a capacity-building training for 100 personnel drawn from key public institutions in Kwara State as part of efforts to strengthen food security, reduce post-harvest losses, and accelerate agro-industrial development.
Speaking during the opening ceremony in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the State Project Coordinator of the SAPZ Programme, Engr. Busari Toyin Isiaka, urged participants to make the most of the training by acquiring practical knowledge and skills that would enhance project implementation and improve service delivery across the agricultural sector.
Engr. Isiaka disclosed that the participants were selected from 31 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state. He explained that the training is designed to build technical, institutional, and implementation capacities required for the successful execution of the SAPZ Programme in Kwara.
According to him, strengthening the capacity of public sector personnel is essential to ensuring the effective delivery of the programme’s objectives, including enhancing agricultural value chains, reducing post-harvest losses, attracting investments, and driving sustainable economic growth.
Other speakers at the event also encouraged participants to actively engage in the training sessions and apply the knowledge gained to support the successful implementation of the SAPZ Programme, noting that improved institutional capacity is critical to achieving long-term agricultural transformation.
The SAPZ Programme has continued to position Kwara State as an emerging destination for agro-industrial investment, with the initiative already attracting the interest of foreign investors seeking opportunities in agricultural processing and value addition.
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme is a flagship agricultural initiative of the Federal Government, co-financed by the African Development Bank and participating state governments. The programme aims to improve food security, promote agro-industrialization, create employment opportunities, strengthen agricultural value chains, and significantly reduce post-harvest losses across participating states.
The ongoing training represents another important milestone in Kwara State’s commitment to building the institutional capacity needed to unlock the full potential of its agricultural sector and drive inclusive economic development through agro-industrial growth.
