VP Osinbajo Launches Special Agro-industrial Zone Programme

VP Osinbajo Launches Special Agro-industrial Zone Programme

  • With the launch of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme, Nigeria can, in less than a decade, banish food insecurity
  • The programme is also expected to help the country in improving export earnings from agriculture
  • It is will also help in creating millions of lucrative agro-industrial jobs and opportunities for Nigerians

FCT, Abuja - Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN on Monday, October 24 launched the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Nigeria, held at the ministry of foreign affairs, Abuja.

Prof. Osinbajo noted that the launch of the SAPZ programme heralded a “profoundly important moment in our agricultural odyssey.”

VP launch
VP Osinbajo speaking at the launch of the Special Agro-industrial Zone Programme in Abuja. Photo credit: @NigeriaGov
Source: Twitter

He said:

“If the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme delivers on its objectives and we have no doubt that it will, then we would in less than a decade deal a fatal blow to food insecurity, create millions of good paying agro-industrial jobs and opportunities and radically improve export earnings from agriculture.”

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He said the programme was:

“A clear plan for the industrialization of agriculture, the deliberate development of value chains in the crops farmers grow and a pathway to net exportation of their produce.”

He added:

“The programme is now a critical component of our agricultural strategy, which is to accelerate the industrialization of our agricultural sector with the objective of being ahead of our constraints in providing food, nutrition and wealth for the largest population in our continent.
“The SAPZ programme is a government-enabled and private sector-led initiative that will to mobilize private sector investment to develop value chains for selected strategic crops and livestock in the participating states.
“Nigeria will implement the first phase of the SAPZ programme with co-financing from the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Islamic Development Bank.”

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The vice president, who noted that the SAPZ programme was recently approved by the federal executive council, stated that the programme is a major cross-cutting value chain investment effort driven by the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development.

He further said it is in alignment with the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy of the federal government to incentivise agro-industrialization for private sector development.

FG's retreat: Osinbajo speaks on how to manage Nigeria's foreign exchange rate

Meanwhile, as the Buhari administration takes stock of its achievements over the years, VP Osinbajo has listed interventions made by the government in various sectors.

The vice president made a presentation at the opening of the 3rd ministerial performance review retreat in Abuja.

The vice president also spoke on the need to ensure synergy between fiscal and monetary policy in order to better manage the economy and exchange rate concerns.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Jerrywright Ukwu avatar

Jerrywright Ukwu Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.