WHY NIGERIA GOVERNORS SHOULD ENGAGE IN AGRIBUSINESS?
– Amb. Mulemora
Association of Cottage Industrialists of Nigeria is a body saddled with the responsibility of Agribusiness and Manufacturing of the Nano, Micro and Small Enterprises in Nigeria. Interestingly, we are bringing this to the usefulness of the general public that Agribusiness Hub, is a best that all the state governors in Nigeria should adopt for the growth and development of their respective states. For instance, rice hub in Ekiti, Niger, Benue and, Benue sugar, Ondo State, Kogi, Rivers and Cross River state etc.
Here are some important agribusiness hubs in Nigeria, the Association is ready to partner with any state governor in Nigeria that is ready to bail his state out of hunger and starvation. We are ready to proffer solution through the establishment of the Agribusiness Hub with new environmental free with climate change standards to give Hydroponic Farming, Odorless Goat and Pig Farming, rice and New technology of Farming without inorganic fertilizer and with this beginning as set in the following
– *Fasola Agribusiness Hub*: Located in Ibadan, Oyo State. This hub has been designated as Nigeria’s first Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) by the African Development Bank (AfDB). It serves as a model for agricultural industrialization and sustainable farming practices.
– *Ibarapa Agribusiness Hub*: Spanning 3,250 hectares in Eruwa, Oyo State, this hub is designed to be a comprehensive ecosystem for agricultural growth, featuring crop and livestock production centers, processing units, training centers, and an eco-resort. It’s expected to create thousands of job opportunities for youth and attract significant investment.
– *Oyo Agro-Industrial Hub*: A 3,000-hectare hub in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, aimed at revolutionizing food production, creating employment, and attracting investments. The hub will feature state-of-the-art facilities, advanced processing plants, and storage systems.
– *Lagos Fresh Food Agro Hub*: A centralized platform for farmers, agro-processors, wholesalers, and retailers to connect directly, facilitating seamless transactions and minimizing post-harvest losses. It has recorded an impressive N2.5 billion in transactions, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
– *Oyo State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ)*: A $538 million investment project located on a 300-hectare site near the Lagos-Ibadan railway, focusing on priority value chains like cassava, maize, poultry, and horticulture. It aims to uplift rural populations through job creation, income generation, and economic diversification.
– *Niger State*: A leading agricultural hub in Nigeria, ranking top in rice and yam production, and contributing significantly to the country’s food security and rural development goals. The state’s agricultural output has been driven by local government initiatives and multi-million dollar projects.
This was released at the press conference organised by Association of Cottage Industrialists of Nigeria (Research and Training Development) headed by Amb. Oluwasegun A Mulemora, the National Executive Secretary in Abuja.
