Ground Breaking Ceremony for the commencement of construction of Phase 1 of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Kaduna, Agro-Industrial Hub (AIH) and Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC)
The Vice President of Nigeria, H.E. Sen. Kashim Shettima, GCON has performed the ground breaking ceremony for the commencement of construction of Phase 1 of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), Agro-Industrial Hub (AIH) and Agricultural Transformation Centre (ATC), the building blocks of the SAPZ Program and a strategic milestone in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to industrialize Nigeria’s agricultural sector and create sustainable jobs across the country.
In his remarks during the event at the AIH Site, located at Daki-Takwas, along the Kaduna- Abuja Expressway, Chikun LGA, the Vice President described the SAPZ as a presidential priority project and a direct response to the longstanding challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, including poor infrastructure, limited access to markets and low value addition.
Senator Shettima emphasized that Nigeria cannot be chained to outdated systems while the world moves with urgency towards innovation, adding that the SAPZ initiative is a strategy that lays the foundation for real economic transformation.
He also commended the Kaduna State government for its leadership in agriculture, describing the state as a key driver of Nigeria’s agro-industrial future due to its abundant arable land and historical role in agricultural production
“Kaduna is not a stranger to agricultural leadership. What we are starting here today will become a model for other states to follow” he said.
The Vice President added that the initiative would generate thousands of jobs and equip youths with skills to become active players in the economy, reiterating the importance of involving young Nigerians in the agricultural revolution.
Similarly, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari in his goodwill message, explained that the SAPZ initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and will have a catalytic effect on the economy of Kaduna State and Nigeria. In addition, he commended Kaduna State government for being a trail-blazer and a model for other states in Nigeria in the area of agriculture and food security.
In his remarks, President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina explained that the groundbreaking event is a major milestone that will culminate in the transformation of the agricultural sector and empowerment of farmers and citizens in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.
Dr. Adesina commended the commitment of Sen. Uba Sani’s administration in the transformation of the agricultural sector, especially as seen in the increase in budgetary allocation for agriculture in Kaduna State from 0.1% to 10%.
He further explained that the initiative is a game changer, designed to integrate agricultural production, processing, and marketing by concentrating agro-industrial activities in key locations, adding that the ATC in Dusten-Wai, Kubau LGA will provide essential infrastructure for crop aggregation, processing, and storage, particularly for the state’s key value chains; maize, ginger, and tomatoes.
On his part, host of the event and Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, described the groundbreaking ceremony for the SAPZ AIH and ATC as a very important project for Kaduna State. He also explained that the initiative aims to provide access to financial credit for small holder farmers to facilitate their farm products from far and near markets for consumption, while also ensuring that the agricultural produce meets both domestic and international quality standards.
The AIH located at Daki-Takwas,Chikun LGA is strategically located along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway and will serve as a nucleus for agro-processing industries, logistics services, and export-oriented agribusinesses.
Governor Uba Sani added that by clustering the activities, post-harvest losses will be reduced, thousands of jobs created, while also driving economic growth across multiple sectors.
He appreciated H.E., the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima for performing the groundbreaking ceremony, and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the President being a key pillar who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s economic transformation. Governor Uba Sani also extended his gratitude to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, describing his leadership and dedication to agricultural transformation as a source of inspiration, adding that the bank’s partnership has been instrumental in making the SAPZ project a reality which Kaduna State will be forever grateful to.
The Governor urged all stakeholders to fully embrace the opportunity as its success depends on everyone’s commitment and collaboration. According to him, farmers must take advantage of the support structures provided to enhance productivity, the private sector must step forward to invest in value addition and agro-processing and young people must recognize agriculture as a viable and profitable career path and not just an occupation of last resort.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, H. E. Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, top personalities including the former Vice President of Nigeria, H.E. Arc. Namadi Sambo, Minister of Environment, Mal. Balarabe Lawal Abbas, Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Eno and His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli.
The SAPZ program is being implemented with support from International development partners, including the African Development Bank (@AfDB_Group), Islamic Development Bank (@isdb_group), and International Fund for Agricultural Development (@IFAD).
