- FG Targets 500,000 Hectares for All-Year Agriculture
- …Begins Wheat Production in 15 States
- Abdullahi highlighted the rollout of SAPZ
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s World Food Day, the Federal Government has announced the commencement of a 500,000-hectare dry-season farming initiative across selected states.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, noting that the initiative forms part of government efforts to enhance food security and ensure year-round agricultural production.
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According to Abdullahi, the first phase of the project focuses on improving wheat production in 15 states, while the second phase will target rice, cassava, and maize.
“These agricultural production gains were driven by modest expansion in cultivated areas, improved farming practices, and resilience across major producing states, thereby reinforcing food security and sustaining agro-industrial value chains,” he explained.
He added that the government is also investing in value chain development and infrastructure to support agricultural transformation nationwide.
Abdullahi highlighted the rollout of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), a five-year programme supported by the African Development Bank and other development partners. The initiative, he said, is currently being implemented in Kaduna, Cross River, Kano, Kwara, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The programme aims to boost agricultural output by over 60%, reduce post-harvest losses by 80%, promote value addition, create jobs, and improve market access,” the minister said.
He noted that the SAPZ project is central to Nigeria’s goal of transitioning to an agro-industrial economy and aligns with the Federal Government’s broader diversification agenda.
“Through the SAPZ project, Nigeria aims to accelerate its shift towards an agro-industrial economy, supporting broader national diversification efforts,” Abdullahi added.
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