The federal government and the African Development Bank are set to implement agro-industrial projects in Kaduna and Calabar to boost food security.

The AfDB, in a statement, said it would kickstart the construction of the $538 million Phase 1 Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme in Kaduna on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina will attend the event, which Governor Uba Sani will host.

It said Mr Adesina would then move to Cross River, where the federal government and Governor Bassey Otu would lead another groundbreaking event in Calabar.

The SAPZ Phase 1 programme is spread across eight locations, including Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and Abuja.

Inaugurated in 2022, the initiative received $210 million from the AfDB, with support from the Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms.

The statement says the programme aims to increase food production, reduce imports, create jobs, and transform rural areas into productive economic zones.

It also said in 2023, Nigeria spent $4.7 billion importing food, adding that the SAPZ is designed to reverse this by boosting local production and strengthening value chains.

“The project will enhance agricultural productivity by more than 60 per cent, reduce post-harvest losses, and support agro-processing from farm to market.

“Kaduna and Cross River will host agro-industrial hubs, transformation centres, and aggregation facilities as part of the programme’s core infrastructure. Kaduna will focus on maize, soybeans, ginger, and tomatoes, while Cross River targets cocoa, cassava, and rice production,” it said.

It further said the sites were near key universities like Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Calabar to tap into research and skilled manpower.

“Each participating state is expected to generate more than 60,000 jobs, according to project estimates. Several federal and state officials, along with development partners, are expected to attend the ceremonies to mark this major step in agricultural development,” the statement added. 

(NAN)