Background and Main Objective of the Mission
The 1st joint Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) supervision mission of the Special Agro-processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme was conducted between 26 October to 29 November 2024.
The Special Agro-processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme was declared by IFAD on September 19, 2022, as effective is now in its third year, with completion expected by September 2029. Due to initial delays, implementation began in 2023 after the first disbursement on November 27, 2023. With a total budget of USD 538.05 million, SAPZ is funded by multiple financiers, including IFAD (USD 100 million), IGREENFIN (USD 60 million), the Federal Government (USD 2.04 million), and State Governments (USD 16.01 million) among others. As of the mission, USD 500,000 had been accessed as a startup fund. The 2024 pilot in Bagwai and Kura LGAs of Kano State targeted 1,000 farmers, engaging 1,009 (500 rice, 500 tomato) and 9 lead farmers, with an intention to expand its outreach to 24 LGAs (8 in Ogun and 16 in Kano).
Mission objectives. The overall objective of the first supervision mission is to assess the progress to date following the technical launch (start-up) workshop conducted on (19-24 June 2023) and provide implementation related guidance where needed. The specific objectives will be the following: (a) Assess the implementation progress of the project by comparing achievements with the qualitative and quantitative objectives laid down in the appraisal report and the Annual Work Programme and Budget (AWPB); (b) To assess the implementation progress and achievement of outputs by component and outcome indicators as per the Log-frame. In addition, the mission will assess the implementation progress of the project by comparing achievements with the qualitative and quantitative objectives highlighted in the first Annual Work Programme and Budget (AWPB); (c) Review the project management modalities and whether the project management structure has been established according to the Project Design Report (PDR) and project implementation manual (PIM); (d) Review the appropriateness of project implementation modalities (staffing, MIS, audit, financial management, monitoring and evaluation etc) provide recommendations for implementation and (e) To identify bottlenecks and challenges in the implementation activities and provide solutions to resolving them.
On October 28, 2024, the mission reviewed SAPZ progress reports and held discussions with the IFAD Country Office. This was followed by a technical SAPZ update at NPCO and an inception workshop in Abuja on October 29, gathering key stakeholders, including representatives from the PCU/FMAFS, FMFBNP, CPAT, IsDB, AfDB, and program staff. On October 31, a state-level inception and launch took place in Kano, involving officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, off-takers, academia, CSOs, and
program staff. The team then visited key rice off-takers, including Mafa Rice Mill Ltd, Gerava Rice Mill, and Al-Hamsad Rice Mills Limited in Nasarawa LGA, and on November 1, visited Dangote Tomato Limited and rice farmer groups in Bagwai Community, Salewa Women Rice Association, and women involved in nutrition home gardening in Kura LGA. Preliminary findings and scaleup actions were discussed on November 2 with programme staff, followed by a visit to the Emir’s representative on November 3 and courtesy calls to the State Agriculture Commissioner and Governor’s office on November 4. The mission concluded with a technical meeting on November 6 and a wrap-up meeting on November 7, attended by PCU/FMAFS representatives, Kano State officials, AfDB representative, programme staff and the media team.
Please, kindly download the complete report below: