FG set to create agricultural hubs nationwide

The Federal Government is set to create agricultural hubs across the country through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme and Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).

This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Nigeria high-level event at the UN Food Systems Summit in Rome, Italy.

Speaking at the event, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said that the Federal Government would continue to advance the mobilisation of innovative financing to address key challenges to food systems priorities.

Shettima said this was in line with the Nigeria Food Systems Transformation Pathways.

“Considering the huge food finance gap in Nigeria, regional and global level, Nigeria is calling for the mobilisation of key national and international stakeholders’ formal sectors to build win-win partnerships.

“This is to catalyze transformative and substantial funding for the achievement of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems,” he said.

In his remark, the President of IFAD, Mr Alvaro Lario, said that to stimulate private investment, there was a need for governments and development agencies to lead the way with their own investments.

“We must also ensure these investments help smallholder farmers increase their incomes, improve their access to markets, increase their production, as well as build their resilience.”

Dr Muhammad Al Jasser, President, Islamic Development Bank, and the President of African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, reiterated their commitment to support Nigeria in achieving its development aspirations.

They were represented by Mrs Hassatou N’Sele Vice-President AfDB.

The banks promised to support the country in implementing its future national development plans.

NAN