Nigeria News Today: FG Commits $538 Million to Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones
By Enemona Samuel Endurance for The Bureau News
The Federal Government has pledged $538.05 million to establish Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) across Nigeria as part of a nationwide plan to strengthen food systems, boost productivity, and attract new private-sector investment.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari disclosed this in Abuja during the Community of Practice Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme. He explained that the initiative is designed to make Nigeria’s food systems more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable while generating employment opportunities.
Transforming Food Systems Through Private Investment
Kyari said the government, working with private investors, has already launched SAPZ projects in Kaduna, Cross River, and Ogun States, with several more expected soon. The zones are projected to attract an additional $1 billion in investments by 2027 and serve as hubs for value addition and agro-processing.
“Alongside other interventions, the Federal Government has provided 2,000 tractors and related implements to boost production,” the minister said. “The SAPZs will stimulate rural economies, create jobs, and deepen agricultural value chains.”
He noted that an Agricultural Sector Working Group has been established to coordinate progress, identify gaps, and ensure accountability, adding that Nigeria’s agricultural performance has earned recognition from the African Union.
Reducing ₦3.5 Trillion Post-Harvest Losses
Kyari also highlighted the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), which aims to curb post-harvest losses estimated at ₦3.5 trillion annually. The project focuses on improving value chains and ensuring food sovereignty through better storage, logistics, and processing infrastructure.
He said the outcome of these programmes would be “a more efficient, sustainable, and equitable food system that improves farmers’ incomes and strengthens rural livelihoods.”
Partners Reaffirm Support for Sustainable Agriculture
Head of Development Cooperation, Dr Karin Jansen of the German Development Cooperation, reaffirmed her country’s support for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda. She noted that Germany’s Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies project links food security with climate action and biodiversity protection.
She explained that the project promotes local innovations and inclusive reforms to ensure agricultural systems operate within environmental limits while empowering women and youth.
Stakeholders Urge Stronger Collaboration
The Chairperson of the Coalition of NGOs in Agriculture and Sustainable Development, Rosemary Effiong, welcomed the government’s commitment but urged improved coordination between federal and state actors. She called for increased funding, rural infrastructure, and gender-responsive programmes to ensure equitable access to land and farm inputs.
Effiong also emphasized homestead gardening, climate-smart practices, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, noting that inclusive social safety nets are vital to protect vulnerable groups and guarantee long-term food security.
The stakeholders concluded that continued synergy among government agencies, development partners, and civil society is essential to sustain progress and achieve lasting agricultural transformation in Nigeria.
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