The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Saudi Arabia and the Kwara State Government have teamed up to spend $57.2 million on an agricultural transformation project that will increase livestock production and rural development.
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) State Coordinator, Dr. Busari Isiaka, acknowledged the collaboration in an interview with reporters on Thursday, 3rd April, in Ilorin.
According to him, this collaboration financed the project to build a strong infrastructure for local farmers and investors in the processing of milk and beef.
Highlighting the project’s importance, Isiaka stated that it was the first time a current governor had held the position of chairman of a steering group for a project of that nature.
“To understand the importance of this project, it is a five-year initiative with joint funding from the state government and IsDB.
“While other states in the federation receive support from the African Development Bank, Kwara is pioneering this collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank,” he said.
He highlighted that Kwara demonstrated early commitment by swiftly paying its counterpart funds, making it the first state to fulfil its financial obligations.
“This prompt action has enabled significant progress on the project. The initiative primarily focuses on improving agricultural infrastructure, particularly in the livestock sector, with the core objective of enhancing the livelihoods of rural communities.
“The SAPZ project will prioritise youth and women while promoting food and nutritional security. It is designed to provide sustainable solutions for livestock farmers by ensuring access to modern processing facilities,” he added.
Dr Isiaka also stated that the project was implemented in five local government areas– Ifelodun, Kaiama, Baruten, Asa, and Moro.
He explained that it would feature Agricultural Transformation Centres.
“Here, local farmers can process raw materials such as milk before transporting them to an agro-industrial hub in Malete, Moro Local Government Area, for further processing into dairy products like yogurt and cheese.
“The beef value chain will also be integrated into the project, with necessary facilities to support meat processing. To ensure smooth execution, we conducted extensive environmental assessments and community consultations.
“We have profiled over 5,000 beneficiaries, ensuring that the infrastructure meets their needs, including access to potable water,” he said.
The project is still in its planning stage and should move into full infrastructure development later this year, according to Isiaka.
He also said that the state administration had hired experts to attract both indigenous and foreign investors to the project.
The Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) aims to improve value addition and decrease agricultural waste.
“This initiative will ensure that our farmers benefit greatly, and Kwara is positioning itself as a leader in livestock processing,” he stated.
Source: NAN
Image Credit: Facebook
