Taraba State Government, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), on Tuesday, said the plan Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ), in the three senatorial districts of the state would create over 2000 jobs for unemployed youths.
Prof. Nicholas Namessan, Taraba state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this during the team advocacy visit to the Paramount ruler of the Kwararafa kingdom, Aku Uka of Wukari (HRM), Ishaku Ali Adda in Wukari, and the Chief of Mambilla, Alhaji Shehu Baju in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government.
According to the commissioner, the idea was also to boost food security and avert impending hunger in the state. Just as he said the decision was also to improve the state economy to attract development.
“Taraba state government’s decision to partner with the African Development Bank (AfDB), to establish Agro-processing zones across the three senatorial districts of the state, is targeted toward creating over 2000 job opportunities for unemployed youths and women in the State.
“We hope that the idea will also boost the state economy since it was designed to increase household income, foster job creation in rural agricultural communities among youths and women, and serve as a foundation against food insecurity in the country,” Prof. Namessan disclosed.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Shuaibu Bello, the AfDB team leader and Agricultural consortium group, expressed that the partnership would foster collaboration with agro base company like, sugar processing company, milk processing company, rice, yam, cocoa and maize, to signify a shared commitment toward advancing the sectors.
In their responses, the traditional rulers described the state government decision for the partnership as wise, a step to end poverty in the state.
They commended Governor Agbu Kefas and the AfDB for coming up with the idea that is transformational driving, capable of boosting not just food production but also improving the state IGR and attracting jobs for youths and women in the state.
