SAPZ Engages Communities In Kano To Improve knowledge On Agricultural Productivity

The aim was to raise awareness among the public, particularly, the targeted beneficiaries of the program.

The local governments areas are, Bichi, Dawakin Tofa, DanBatta, Gezawa, Garun Mallam and Bebeji.

According to SAPZ Coordinator Kano Aminu Iliya, the objective was to

Improve agricultural productivity and enterprise development for enhanced agricultural value chains and job creation in the SAPZ Catchment Areas.

It is expected to Support Agro-Industrial Zone Policy and Institutional Development.

“Program Coordination and Management Issue related to Expression interest, Farmers registration, farmers Validations, Gender and Nutrition, Women inclusion and youth participations, Grievance Redress were discussed at length.”

According to SAPZ, the Program has four broad components, “Support the development of enabling climate adapted infrastructure for Agro-Industrial Hubs (AIHs), Improve agricultural productivity and enterprise development to enhance agricultural value chains and job creation in the SAPZ Catchment Areas, Support Agro-Industrial Zone Policy and Institutional Development, and Program Coordination and Management.”

The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Program (SAPZ) is being funded by the Federal Government through a Facility from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

The SAPZ Program is being implemented in the seven (7) States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The States Are Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Ogun and Oyo.

Iliya said, the overall development objective of the SAPZ program is to Support the development of SAPZ in high food production areas to supply the domestic food market and create exportable surpluses.

It is also, to Capacitate smallholder farmers, small agro-processors, and traders, and community-based service providers, including women and youth; to take advantage of the market demand created by the SAPZ to sustainably enhance their income, household food security and resilience to climate change.