Ogun SAPZ begins community sensitisation on agro-industrial hub, agricultural transformation centres across four LGAs

The Ogun State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme has commenced a four-day community sensitisation and awareness campaign across four participating local government areas – Obafemi-Owode, Odogbolu, Ijebu-East and Yewa North – covering 40 host communities.

According to the organisers, the exercise is aimed at sensitising stakeholders and host communities ahead of the take-off of the designated Agro-Industrial Hub (AIH) and Agricultural Transformation Centres (ATCs), while also educating them on the objectives, opportunities and benefits embedded in the initiative.

Speaking during the exercise, the National Programme Coordinator, Dr Yusuf Kabir, said the integration of farmers, processors, community leaders, farmer organisations, women leaders, traditional rulers, security personnel and other value-chain actors, including investors, was expected to boost food security, create jobs and drive industrialisation.

Represented by the National Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, Mr Babangida Shehu, Dr Kabir disclosed that the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) had been supporting farmers with inputs and capacity building, empowering youths and women, and facilitating access to market linkages to enhance agricultural productivity.

He added that the African Development Bank (AfDB) was focusing on the construction of Agro-Industrial Hubs and Agricultural Transformation Centres in the state.

Also speaking, the State Programme Coordinator, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, represented by the State Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr Ibrahim Bushi, said cassava and rice were the priority crops for the year. He revealed that four additional states would be included in the programme next year, while farmers who had already benefited from the initiative would be linked to off-takers and financial institutions through dedicated platforms.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Obafemi-Owode Local Government, Hon. Sina Ogunsola, represented by the Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Muyiwa Ojebiyi, noted that farming remained one of the major occupations in the area. He assured the organisers that communities in the local government would continue to support the SAPZ programme to enhance socio-economic development.

On security concerns, the Divisional Officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Temitope Obasan, advised farmers to promptly report conflicts, particularly those arising between farmers and herders. He warned against taking the law into their hands and provided emergency contact numbers and details of nearby duty stations for the escalation of security issues.

Also speaking, the Productivity Officer, Mr Wale Odunayo, disclosed that preparations were ongoing for the distribution of dry-season farming inputs, urging farmers to take full advantage of the initiative.

Similarly, the Environment and Climate Change Officer, Mrs Temidayo Adedigba, educated farmers on weather information and advisory services designed to provide forecasts and guidance on planting periods and fertiliser application in order to reduce post-harvest losses.

In his closing remarks, the Baale of Oke-Ayo, Mr Makinde Ade, speaking on behalf of other stakeholders, commended the government’s interventions and the Renewed Hope Agenda for driving growth in the agricultural sector.

The Ogun State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme is a Federal Government initiative being implemented in collaboration with the Ogun State Government, the African Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.