The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has pledged to reduce post-harvest losses in the agricultural sector by 25% as part of its broader strategy to enhance food security and boost domestic production.
This was disclosed during the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones High-Level Implementation Acceleration Dialogue held in Abuja on Monday, according to The Punch.
The initiative seeks to improve efficiency in the agricultural supply chain and maximize the potential of local food production.
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones is a government initiative designed to enhance agriculture through targeted investments.
By integrating farming, processing, and marketing, the initiative aims to increase productivity, reduce losses, and enhance value addition for improved food security, job creation, and poverty reduction.
This program receives support from the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the Islamic Development Bank.
In his keynote address at the event, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari emphasized the urgent need for a collaborative approach to tackle the existing challenges within the agricultural sector.
“Our objective is clear: we must enhance our production capabilities and reduce post-harvest losses from the current 45 per cent to 20 per cent.
“This is critical not only for food security but also for improving the livelihoods of our farmers,” he said.
According to him, the SAPZ initiative aims to establish agro-industrial processing zones across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on key crops such as cassava, rice, maize, and cocoa.
He added that the program is expected to generate approximately 500,000 direct and indirect jobs while also increasing the nation’s food supply by adding additional metric tonnage.
The Minster of Finance, Wale Edun, reiterated the government’s commitment to industrialisation through agriculture.
“The successful production of food is fundamental to our economic stability,” he noted.
“When we achieve our production goals, we will see a significant impact on inflation, interest rates, and ultimately, our trade balance,” he added.
Edun emphasized that collaboration between the federal and state governments, along with private sector partners, is essential for the success of the SAPZ program.
“We cannot afford to disrupt domestic production while addressing the immediate food needs of our population. This requires a careful balance of both short-term and long-term strategies,” he added.
The Country Director of the African Development Bank, Abdul Kamara, also spoke at the workshop, underlining the potential of the SAPZ programme to transform the rural economy.
“By reducing post-harvest losses from 50 per cent to 10-20 per cent, we can make a significant contribution to the economy and improve food security,” Kamara stated.
He encouraged all stakeholders to work together to tackle the challenges hindering the implementation of the initiative.
The workshop convened various stakeholders, including state governors and representatives from development partners, to discuss strategies for accelerating the SAPZ program.
The Country Director of International Fund for Agricultural Development, Dede Ekoue, expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating, “We would like to extend our warm congratulations to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security for this laudable initiative.”
