The governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, has led a high-powered delegation to India, where it met with investors to collaborate in agriculture and food production to boost the state’s economy.
The state’s delegation was in India at the instance of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) project, for which Taraba State is actively working to qualify.
The visit is part of the process to attract investors. Under the SAPZ model, investors are expected to provide 85% of the required financing, while the government provides 15%, ensuring the project’s long-term sustainability.
The team visited several agro-processing factories and held strategic sessions with the founders and owners of the facilities to present the Taraba SAPZ project. The team emphasized the opportunity to invest in Taraba State and leverage access to the state’s broader agricultural market.
The Governor of Taraba State expressed hope that the State would be selected to establish the SAPZ. Once the project is approved, it will create opportunities for processing companies to be sited in the State.
“This will, in turn, stimulate an increase in agricultural production and boost the State’s economy. Taraba has minimal processing activity despite its significant agrarian output. Kefas stated
According to the governor, Taraba’s top priorities under the SAPZ initiative are rice production, other grains, and root and tuber crops, all already being cultivated extensively in Taraba State.
In preparation for this year’s farming season, the Governor said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security plans to flag off the fertiliser distribution exercise and expedite the distribution of tractors procured by the government to support land preparation for the 2025 farming season.
