By Adenike Lawal
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, SAPZ, will revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria, placing the nation on a new path of productivity and prosperity.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the project in Dakin Takwas village, Kaduna State, Shettima credited Governor Uba Sani’s leadership for accelerating the initiative, and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making agricultural transformation a top priority.
“This is a turning point for our farmers and agripreneurs,” Shettima said, stressing that Nigeria must abandon outdated methods to unlock its full agricultural potential. He noted that SAPZ will build strong partnerships between farmers, private investors, and entrepreneurs to boost productivity, improve value addition, and drive long-term private sector growth.
Shettima described Kaduna State as a key player in this revolution, blessed with fertile land and vast agricultural resources. He however acknowledged lingering hurdles such as poor infrastructure, limited financing, and weak agro-processing systems, but expressed confidence that the SAPZ will tackle these challenges head on.
He also lauded the critical support from international development partners including the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Governor Uba Sani added that the SAPZ will move Kaduna’s agriculture from subsistence farming to an integrated system of production, processing, and marketing. He described the project as a game changer that will turn the state into a powerhouse of agro-industrial excellence.
With dedicated centres like the Agricultural Transformation Centre in Dutsen-Wai, which will serve as a hub for crop aggregation, processing, and storage, the SAPZ is expected to breathe new life into key value chains such as maize, tomatoes, and ginger.
As the project gains momentum, hopes are high that it will not only uplift rural economies but also secure Nigeria’s place as a major player in the global agricultural landscape
