By Joke Falaju
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has applauded the Cross River State Government for its commitment to the successful take-off of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ).
The commendation was made by IFAD Country Director, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, during the official launch of the SAPZ project by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Cross River State.
Ekoue also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership in advancing the SAPZ initiative, which she described as a key driver of agricultural modernization, agri-food systems transformation, and economic empowerment for smallholder farmers and agripreneurs in Nigeria.
“SAPZ is a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable agro-industrialisation, made possible through the partnership between the African Development Bank (AfDB), IFAD, and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB),” Ekoue said.
She emphasized the importance of synergy between the SAPZ and the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) programme, also active in Cross River, for broader and more sustainable agribusiness transformation.
According to her, IFAD, which leads Component 2 of the SAPZ focusing on agricultural productivity, production, market linkages, and value addition, has already empowered at least 1,000 farmers and facilitated partnerships between these farmers and agro-industries within the SAPZ catchment areas.
She acknowledged the leadership of the Federal and Kano State governments, and the commitment of the SAPZ project team and funding partners including AfDB and IsDB, for contributing to the initiative’s success.
Ekoue noted that the LIFE-ND programme has empowered over 26,000 youth and women agripreneurs across the Niger Delta, including 4,000 in Cross River State.
She stated that with IFAD’s approval of Phase 2 of the LIFE-ND programme, which aims to reach nearly 100,000 farmers by 2028, there is a unique opportunity to align both projects for maximum impact.
She also commended the Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, and of Finance and Economic Coordination, for their support, as well as the Governor of Cross River State for the timely counterpart funding of the LIFE-ND programme.
“As we look to the future, IFAD reaffirms its commitment to working with the Federal Government, Cross River State, AfDB, and other stakeholders to build a strong synergy between SAPZ and the LIFE-ND programme,” Ekoue stated.
She expressed IFAD’s continued dedication to its mission of investing in rural people, eradicating poverty and hunger, and enabling smallholder farmers, especially youth and women, to thrive in the agricultural economy.
