Cross River Targets 100,000 Beneficiaries with SAPZ

News in Brief

-Cross River's SAPZ programme eyes 20,000 direct and 80,000 indirect beneficiaries in the agricultural revolution initiative, with a 60% youth engagement target.

-The initiative involves training young farmers in climate-smart practices, value addition, and agribusiness while also providing facilities to combat climate risks and infrastructure.

Cross River State has revealed that in its plan to transform its agriculture sector through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme, it is targeting 20,000 direct beneficiaries and 80,000 indirect participants, with 60% of direct slots reserved for youths.

In the initiative primarily focused on cocoa, rice, and cassava farmers, the beneficiaries will undergo comprehensive training in climate-smart agriculture, modern agribusiness practices, and advanced production techniques. The training aims to improve their productivity, build resilience against climate change, and unlock value addition along key value chains. 

The Gender and Social Safeguard Officer, Dr Gloria Onete-Ogban, revealed this during a stakeholders' sensitisation workshop in Calabar organised by the Cross Rivers State SAPZ.

According to her, the initiative ensures inclusivity by equally distributing the remaining opportunities between women and men, fostering sustainable development in Nigeria's agro-sector.

She explained that the indirect roles will emerge during construction, processing, and installation phases, creating a ripple effect of jobs and economic activity across rural communities.

Stakeholders' Sensitisation Highlights

The one-day workshop at the State Library in Calabar on December 22, 2025, drew a diverse crowd, including state officials, agribusiness leaders, private sector players, development agencies, farmer groups, manufacturers, financial institutions, media, regulatory bodies, security agencies, and commodity associations. 

State Project Coordinator of SAPZ, Victor Edet, while welcoming participants, described the project as a strategic platform to bridge infrastructure gaps and stimulate business growth.

Edet said the programme would help resolve challenges such as inadequate power supply, which increases the cost of doing business, adding that the SAPZ is structured to create a conducive environment for agro-industrial development.

Agriculture Stakeholders Show Support

State Chairman of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Dr Ramsey Ebamdeb,  hailed the platform as a game-changer to rejuvenate old cocoa plantations, enhance productivity and generate more employment, especially through the value addition aspect. He highlighted how improved seedlings and varieties will replace ageing trees, while industrial hubs enhance pricing and fortify the cocoa value chain, which is vital for Cross River, a historic cocoa hub now eyeing revival amid Nigeria's global export push.

The President of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Kelly Ayamba, described SAPZ as a major economic booster to the state economy. He called on residents, youths, and investors to wake up to its potential. He committed the chamber to member sensitisation and advocacy for an enabling business climate. 

SAPZ impact in Cross Rivers State

SAPZ, a federal government-backed effort supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aligns with national goals to industrialise agriculture and curb food insecurity. In Cross River, where cocoa remains a cornerstone crop that contributes significantly to exports despite ageing plantations, SAPZ addresses longstanding bottlenecks such as poor infrastructure and erratic power supply that inflate business costs.

Launched in phases with Cross River among Phase 1 pilots alongside Kaduna, SAPZ fits into Nigeria's broader agro-industrialisation drive. Challenges like climate variability, outdated farming methods, and infrastructure deficits have long hampered Cross River's agro-potential, but this programme introduces modern hubs to cut losses, add value, and link farmers to markets.