World Bank, AfDB, UNIDO enlist support for agric transformation of SCPZ

The World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nation’s International Development Organisation (UNIDO) have enlisted support for the Nigeria’s Staple Crop Processing Zone (SCPZ).

The SCPZ project, which had kick-started in the six geo-political zones, has been lauded by development partners. With Nigeria’s import bills having dropped from N2.3 trillion to N1.8 trillion in 2013, according to Akinwunmi Adesina, minister for agriculture, a further step has been taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as regards the staple crop processing zone to sustain value addition in agriculture.

The SCPZ has been identified as a veritable tool on sustaining value addition through agro-allied processing and in growing the rural economy through wealth creation by curbing post-harvest losses, Ibukun Odusote, permanent secretary, said. Represented by Chukwudi Nwandu, director of special duties in the permanent secretary’s office, Odusote said: “The SCPZ has been identified for sector driven for national agricultural production, enhance food security, foster agro-rural industrialisation and grow the rural economy.”

The SCPZ has Bukure in Kano State to take charge of rice, tomatoes, sorghum; Alape in Kogi State; Pattegi in Niger States takes charge of rice; Ketu in Lagos State to take charge of the aqua-culture; Omor-Adani in Enugu State takes charge of rice, and Bakolori in Sokoto State to take charge of fisheries.

The grand effects of the SCPZ in the six geo-political zones would promote internal and external infrastructure in the areas they are located, also promote value addition in the economy, Chukwuma Ezedinma, representative of the UNIDO country director, noted.

Notably, the Kogi State SCPZ has been taken over by Carghill company – an American company with its 15,000 hectares currently being farmed and N1.4 trillion expected with regard to value addition in agro-allied processing in the area.

By: Harrison Edeh