African Development Bank to establish Agro Processing zones to boost food security in Taraba

 

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Taraba State government in partnership with the African Development Bank on Tuesday said it has entered into a partnership to establish a State Agro-Processing zone (SAPZ) in the state.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Nicholas Namessan announced this during the visit of the team on an advocacy visit to the Chief of Mambilla, Alhaji Shehu Baju and Sardauna Local Government and The Aku Uka, HRM, Ishaku Adda Ali in Wukari.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at boosting the State's economy, upscaling development, and creating employment opportunities for over 2000 unemployed youths.

This is even as he said the partnership to establish Agro-processing zones (SAPZ) in three senatorial zones in the State would be to the benefit of farmers and the agricultural sector at large, saying the state's arable land was suitable for various agricultural ventures.

"This partnership hopes to provide jobs for over 2000 youths and women in the State through Agro-processing zones.

"The State Agro Processing Zones program is designed to increase households income, foster job creation in rural agricultural communities, especially for youths and women, and to enhance food security, and nutrition in Nigeria," he said.

Also speaking, the team leader of the African Development Bank AFDB, and Agricultural consortium group, Alhaji Shuaibu Bello the consortium team was made up of reputable companies from China, India, and South Africa and others who are going to cultivate 1,000 hectares of land from Wukari, Karim Lamido, Lau and Sardauna Local Government Areas.

Bello noted that the partnership would focus on fostering collaboration in the area of agricultural production such as sugar processing companies, milk processing companies, rice, yam, cocoa, and maize signifying a shared commitment to advancing these key sectors for the good of Taraba and Nigeria at large.