IFAD, SAPZ to assist 100,000 farmers,  service provider

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has forged a strategic partnership with the Special Agro-processing Zones (SAPZ) project. This collaboration aims to uplift 100,000 smallholder farmers and service providers across targeted regions.

Mr. Richard-Mark Mbaram, speaking as the moderator of the FGN-IFAD Cooperation Open House and Exhibition Fair held in Abuja, unveiled the ambitious initiative. He highlighted that the SAPZ project secured a substantial $541 million in financing, with contributions from various stakeholders.

Read also:

• 
  Premier movie of MAKEMATION, an AI movie for the youth
• 
  SEC, SMEDAN collaborate to boost small business access to capital markets
• 
  SMEDAN, Kwara governor discuss joint strategy to support MSMEs nationwide

The African Development Bank (AfDB) led the charge with $210 million, closely followed by IFAD at $160 million, and the Islamic Development Bank providing $60 million. Federal and state governments also joined the effort with $19 million, while target groups contributed the remaining $2 million.

Mbaram underscored the project’s primary goal of establishing special agro-processing zones in regions with high agricultural potential. These zones aim to streamline domestic food market supply chains and foster surplus production.

“The program’s core focus is on empowering smallholder farmers, agro-processors, traders, and community-based service providers, with a keen emphasis on women and youth,” Mbaram emphasized. This approach seeks to capitalize on market demand to elevate income levels, enhance household food security, and bolster resilience against climate change impacts.

In his closing remarks, Mbaram outlined IFAD’s ambitious target of reaching 100,000 beneficiaries. Of this total, 90% are envisaged to be smallholder farmers, with the remaining 10% comprising small processors, traders, and service providers. The initiative signals a concerted effort towards sustainable agricultural development and economic empowerment in targeted communities.