The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has made a significant commitment to reducing post-harvest losses within Nigeria’s agricultural sector by 25%. This pledge is part of a larger initiative aimed at enhancing food security and boosting domestic agricultural production. The announcement was made during the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) High-Level Implementation Acceleration Dialogue, which took place in Abuja. This government initiative seeks to promote agriculture through strategic investments that facilitate the integration of farming, processing, and marketing. The overarching goals include increasing productivity, minimizing losses, and adding value to agricultural products, ultimately contributing to food security, job creation, and poverty alleviation across the nation.
The SAPZ initiative is receiving support from key organizations such as the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the Islamic Development Bank. In his keynote address, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari underlined the urgency of collaboration among various stakeholders to address persistent challenges within the agricultural sector. He set forth the goal of reducing post-harvest losses from the current 45% to 20%, emphasizing that achieving this target is crucial not only for ensuring food security but also for enhancing the livelihoods of the farming community.
In discussing the specifics of the SAPZ initiative, Kyari mentioned that the plan involves establishing agro-industrial processing zones throughout seven states and the Federal Capital Territory. These zones will primarily focus on key crops, including cassava, rice, maize, and cocoa. The initiative is projected to create around 500,000 direct and indirect jobs while also significantly boosting food supply metrics in the country. This ambitious agenda aims not only to combat post-harvest losses but is also seen as a path toward modernizing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and addressing food production challenges.
Minister of Finance Wale Edun reinforced the government’s dedication to further industrializing the agricultural sector as a means to support economic stability. He articulated that successfully meeting food production goals is foundational to enhancing the economy, with potential positive effects on inflation, interest rates, and trade balance as a result. Edun stressed the importance of coordination among federal and state governments, as well as partnerships with the private sector, to ensure the effective implementation of the SAPZ program. He acknowledged the need to strike a balance between addressing immediate food demands and fostering long-term agricultural sustainability.
The potential of the SAPZ initiative to revitalize rural economies was further emphasized by Abdul Kamara, the Country Director of the African Development Bank. Kamara noted that reducing post-harvest losses from a staggering 50% to between 10-20% could yield significant economic benefits and substantially improve food security in Nigeria. He called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to address the various challenges that could hinder the successful execution of the SAPZ program. The workshop fostered a collaborative environment for discussions among state governors and development partners, focusing on the strategies necessary for accelerating the initiative.
Dede Ekoue, the Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, expressed support for the SAPZ initiative during the workshop and commended the Minister for his vision. He referenced ongoing projects in Kano State, backed by IFAD, aimed at enhancing the capacities of rice and tomato farmers, which exemplify the kind of results that can arise from effective partnerships. Ekoue highlighted the implementation of various strategies, noting “quick wins” such as the signing of off-take contracts that facilitate the growth of agricultural operations. Through these efforts and collaborations, the SAPZ program aims to demonstrate tangible impacts on food security and economic development, ultimately fostering a more robust agricultural sector in Nigeria.
