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By Chinyere Anyanwu
To boost food and nutritional security for the people of Kwara State, the state government and Islamic Development Bank (IDB) have partnered to embark on a $57.3 million special agro-industrial project in the state.
The partnership, the state government said, is under the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), and was designed to promote agro-processing and sustainable farming, improve household incomes and foster job creation in rural agricultural communities, especially for youth and women.
The state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, over the weekend, inaugurated the state steering committee for the implementation of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in the state.
Inaugurating the committee in Ilorin at the weekend, Governor AbdulRazaq said, “this project has the capacity to radically impact the economy and livelihood of so many Kwarans. As such, it is immensely important to me as the governor of Kwara State and chairman of the State Steering Committee.
“The objective of the SAPZ project is to support inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial development in Kwara State. The SAP-Z Project’s goal is to increase household incomes and foster job creation in rural agricultural communities, especially for the youth and women, thereby enhancing food and national security.”
AbdulRazaq added; “the proposed SAPZ project will support economic and social development programmes of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the participating states.
“It will contribute to rural infrastructure development, improve access to agricultural markets, increase farm productivity, promote agricultural technology, climate-smart agricultural production, and processing practices. It will also increase value addition in agro-processing and skills acquisition with a focus on all actors along the value chain, including smallholder women and youths.”
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Toyosi Thomas-Adebayo, said the inauguration set off a steady implementation of the multipurpose project.
“Rest assured, Your Excellency, of our dedication and commitment to the success of this project. We realise that it is important for the state and for you, and we are in this for impact,” she added.
State SAPZ Coordinator, Busari Toyin Isiaka, said the steering committee has the responsibility of strategic direction and policy guidance for the project.
