NEPZA, Farmcrowdy Partner on  Agricultural Special Economic Zone

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), in collaboration with Nigeria’s first Digital Agriculture Platform, Farmcrowdy, have concluded plans to establish an Agriculture Special Economic Zone, in the country.

The pact was sealed when the Farmcrowdy promoter, Onyeka Akuma, visited the NEPZA Managing Director, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, in Abuja, to present the company’s plans of adding value through agriculture produce processing and expansion of the sector.

In a statement from NEPZA, Akuma said Farmcrowdy plans to play an important role in the export of processed agricultural products to other African countries as soon as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) commences.

While seeking the NEPZA’s support, Akuma said it is time Nigeria increased its non-oil exports and earned the much-needed foreign exchange in a more diversified economy. “We at Farmcrowdy are poised to go to the next level of our organizational development by looking at using the Special Economic Zones to actualise our dream,” he was quoted.

Responding, Adesugba expressed the agency’s readiness to partner with Farmcrowdy for such an economic zone, describing Farmcrowdy as “an innovative firm with great contribution to agricultural business in Nigeria.
 
“I have known Onyeka Akuma as a trailblazer in revolutionizing agriculture through the use of technology and crowd funding since the inception of Farmcrowdy. Nigeria is paying special attention to agricultural development in order to feed an ever growing population, create jobs and generate wealth to eradicate poverty. 

“The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA is ready to support Farmcrowdy in its plan to set up an Agriculture Special Economic Zone. I have no doubt at all about the ability of the young Nigerians in Farmcrowdy in making great things happen in this ever important sector of the Nigerian economy.”

Adesugba restated his commitment to transforming the Authority into a truly investors’ service entity to multiply foreign direct investment in the country.

Farmcrowdy, launched in 2016, is Nigeria’s First Digital Agriculture Platform that empowers rural farmers by providing them with improved seeds, farm inputs, training on modern farming techniques, and a market for the sale of their farm produce.